Cauda Equina Syndrome (cont.)

Dementia Slideshow Pictures

Alzheimer's Disease Slideshow Pictures

Brain Foods Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Jason C. Eck, DO, MS

Dr. Eck received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Catholic University of America in Biomedical Engineering, followed by a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University. Following this he worked as a research engineer

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

Cauda Equina Syndrome Symptoms

Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include the following:

Low back pain
Pain in one leg (unilateral) or both legs (bilateral) that starts in the buttocks and travels down the back of the thighs and legs (sciatica)
Numbness in the groin or area of contact if sitting on a saddle (perineal or saddle paresthesia)
Bowel and bladder disturbances
Lower extremity muscle weakness and loss of sensations
Reduced or absent lower extremity reflexes

Low back pain can be divided into local and radicular pain.

Local pain is generally a deep, aching pain resulting from soft tissue and vertebral body irritation.
Leg pain (radicular pain) is generally a sharp, stabbing pain resulting from compression of the nerve roots. Radicular pain projects along the specific areas controlled by the compressed nerve (known as a dermatomal distribution).

Bladder disturbance (urinary manifestations) related to cauda equina syndrome include the following: