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Cauda Equina Syndrome, Sports Medicine

Frank E. Lorch, MD, FAAPMR and Ibraheem Algarni, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

  • Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare condition associated with mechanical compression and/or dysfunction of the components of the cauda equina within the lumbosacral spinal canal.

  • It is charact...

DIAGNOSIS

ALERT
  • Early identification of the patient’s neurologic deficits and prompt surgical intervention reduces the likelihood of permanent neurologic sequelae.

  • The widely varying clinical presentati...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Immediate surgical consultation

  • Although not always reversible, surgical decompression may be the only chance to reverse the neurologic deficits.

  • Surgical decompression is nece...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Early involvement of rehabilitation team, including a spinal cord injury rehabilitation physician, physical therapist, and occupational therapist to identify and ...

REFERENCES

1
Gardner A, Gardner E, Morley T. Cauda equina syndrome: a review of the current clinical and medico-legal position. Eur Spine J.  2011;20(5):690–697.
2
Gitelman A, Hishmeh S, Morelli BN,...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Cauda Equina Syndrome Resource Group: www.caudaequina.org

  • Haswell K, Gilmour J, Moore B. Clinical decision rules for identification of low back pain patients with neurologic involvem...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • CES should be considered in all patients with severe LBP from any cause.

  • It is a rare disorder that is usually a surgical emergency.

  • It is important to try to prevent CES-I, with its mor...

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