Episode 20: Cauda Equina Syndrome

Host Jimmy McKay

Featured guest Bridget Ripa

Notes Alexis Lancaster

Cauda equina: “horse’s tail”

 

What is it?

Injury to lumbar and sacral spinal nerve roots within the canal

 

Presentation

Variable lower extremity paralysis

Sensory loss

Bowel and bladder dysfunction

 

Causes

Trauma, pelvic crush (MVA), child birth could precede it

 

Differential diagnosis

Other spinal cord syndromes

Transverse myelitis

MS

Spinal infarct

Spinal tumor

 

Special tests

CT, MRI

Clinical presentation & mechanism of injury

 

Treatment

Make sure they are managed medically first

Bowel/bladder program

Motor learning

Task-specific training

ICF model

Weight-bearing

Neuromuscular re-education

Tone management

FES

Aerobic training

Positioning

Bracing/splinting

Locomotion if applicable

Keeping an eye on shoulder pain

Allow compensation in this population when they need to

How will it look on the test?

Mechanism of injury and clinical presentation

Bowel and bladder dysfunction will be present with cauda equina!