I'm 21 and had CES, I spent 2 years with bad back pain and doctors telling me it was all in my head and no one ever believing me because i was "too young to have back issues" November 2017 I was rushed into hospital after my pain had got so bad and i had finally lost all feeling and movement in my legs and my bladder had stopped working. I was then rushed in for emergency surgery December 1st, further needing another 2 emergency operations throughout december! I was in hospital for 2 months because of complications and failed surgeries! I'm now 6 months post 2nd op and have full feeling and movement back in my legs! I was very lucky and was told I was a day away of becoming completely paralyzed. If only the doctors had listened to me 2 years ago I would have not ended up the way I was! I had multiple slipped discs (i still do)i had spinal cord compression and I also have spinal stenosis (which is severe) I still get pains but no numbness, I'm terrified of future issues with my back and completely worried about CES again! Doctors need to listen! just because i'm young doesn't mean I'm not going to get a medical condition!

This is so frightening. Now in 2024 in my experience at least there is a greater awareness of this with medical teams. I had a few weeks of sciatic pain in one leg which ultimately led me to regular physio. CES was mentioned and symptoms discussed from the outset. Fast forward 7 weeks into physio when pain changed and spread to both legs (though zero numbness or incontinence) I was advised by the physio to go immediately to A&E as CES could be a risk. Prompt diagnosis following an MRI and immediate surgery I’m now 4 days out of surgery with next to zero lasting effects. Thank god for the NHS and the informed professionals along every step of the way.

They keep telling me it is rare to have CES but as i'm finding out it's probably more common than we are led to believe...

I’m 46 suffered since I was 15 and telling doctors! Worked till Jan this year and just now diagnosed! Got a 3mm mass in my spine now! Doc accused me years ago of just going wanting pain meds! I left crying and in pain. Never went back! Till this year the pain has gotten so much worse!

I had CES back in 2012, I had never heard of it before. I had been in pain for many years before hand, thanks to an emergency MRI scan I was rushed in theatre as my disc was starting to pierce my spinal cord. I was 12 years old when I started with a bad back and 32 when I was finally treated.

After years of back pain my doctor refused to grant me an MRI. One night my saddle went numb, emergency didn’t think I needed an MRI, I had to buy my own MRI for $1200 the day my bowel and bladder stopped working and I was rushed for two emergency surgeries due to cauda equina. One year post op, still no saddle feeling, no bladder or bowel, misfiring of nerves urging me to go number 2 every 5 minutes and horrid back pain.

I have cauda equina, spent 7 months in 4 hospitals and am now left in a wheelchair after living an active life.

I don’t think this is the best definition of cauda equina syndrome. In my experience, my entire leg became numb and paralyzed. I was still booted out of hospital 😡 When I had an MRI FOUR DAYS LATER they went, oops, it’s serious. My leg has not fully recovered and it’s been nearly a year. Leg paralysis and numbness should absolutely be a concern and anyone who gets booted out of hospital on crutches should just go to a different hospital.

Saddle numbness should NOT have to be present. When we treat CES like this we increase the chances that it’ll be missed until later which leads to devastating consequences

It's probably too late for me, but I feel fortunate that Dr. Scott in rehab recognized it. She's extremely brilliant and competent.

Have acid trips and it will help the nerves reconnect. I have managed to undo about 90% of the damage having a trip every month or so.

This is a great video. If I'd listened too I too would be still working and walking. Not end up in a wheelchair after 2 spinal surgeries followed by sepsis and a spine infection, which led to 2nd surgery further up the spine and another infection, then 3rd surgery to have the hardware removed due to infection was on the hardware so antibiotics couldn't get rid of it. 5 years of my life was in a holding pattern.

Really important information clearly presented essential for all Manual Therapists

Thank goodness I had microscopic blood in my urine a year ago when I had a cervical fusion because I asked my Dr to check my urine for my checkup just to see and it got worse. I called a urologist and since my kidneys, bladder, and blood work is good she thinks it's the L4-L5 Central protrusion/severe stenosis. My back Dr was just forgetting about my lower back because of the issues with my neck and midback. Thanks to the urologist he apologizes and wants me to call him after my urodynamics test. I had to bring up the urine and bowel weakness and retention and mention my urologist to him twice. I had no clue my urine and weak bowel issues could have anything to do with my centralized disc protrusion. My back Dr didn't bother to ever ask questions. Thanks to me asking for a simple urine test and my urologist asking questions I might be having a laminectomy to release the pressure to save my nerve before it's too late. I already lost some feeling but I can still use my mind to urinate to help the process along. Back dr.'s don't take things too serious because they have seen worse so minor cases (in their eyes) get pushed until it's too late.

I've had back and leg pain and numbness for twenty years. Painkillers, painkillers and more painkillers.

excellent video- thanks CSP

This is a serious thing I waited 3 days before going to hospital it's scary and it does start with lower pain

If your butt starts to feel numb get an mri tell your doc it’s been 5months since I had my surgery and it’s not easy to go threw but it gets better I got most my feelings back docs told me it might take up to 2 years before I can probably get my feelings back but it’s been 6 months and I got most my feelings back from my waist down I still can’t pee or poop normally but it’s getting easier I don’t soil myself no more also I can perform sexually again full function just Want to let people with same problem that it gets better don’t give up

I've been through at least five London nhs hospitals...not one of them even mentioned CES...only when i went private did i get the full story...nhs advice and help after i told them was...if i have serious symptoms i.e wet myself go to A&E...so i have to wait until its too late and live with the discomfort cos the SSRI'S they keep repeatedly trying to give me dont work. When it's an emergency its too late but when a herniated disc is just "touching" its not enough...

I’ve got all symptoms of this, I had an MRI but have over a month wait for the results. :( been in so much pain for months

Im recovering from caudal equina after disc surgery. Im now left with an IDC. It has totally fucked me up. I can use my legs again, but the bladder is still without feeling. WHY? because the fucking stupid doctor in the E.R didn't recognise the symptoms early enough and I waited in the E.R for 48hrs before being sent to a large hospital where a surgeon recognised the symptoms and sent me straight for an MRI, then straight in to surgery for decompression. My solicitor is now on the case.

Thanks for this My issue has not been the physiotherapist, but some of the emergency doctors. I have been to my local A&E departments about 3 times over the past few weeks and the last visit the doctor was adamant that I don't have CES, even though I'm I have signs that I have likely CESI. Problem is it seemed that she was looking for/at the acute/complete type. She was determined that I don't have any sensation loss otherwise I would be paralysed. Doesn't she realise that sensation loss depends on which nerves are damaged and how much? I also know people who have no feeling from the waist down and can still walk. She pressed my tummy and said I was sticking it out. I couldn't tell and also maybe it seemed that way because I hadn't been properly opening my bowels. She said I had good tone because she was finding doing a rectal exam difficult and also it was very painful. Overall she suggested that my problems were from reading about things and worry. Yet it was the physiotherapist who had referred me to A&E and done me a letter which stated that I had suspected CES. No MRI was requested because I had recently had one which showed no nerve compression, unless something was missed. When I had my appointment with the physiotherapist, he asked me some questions and ticked a few of the boxes that suggested early red flag symptoms. I have just had a neurosurgeon referral go off, but hope it's not too late in terms of damage. I will find out if anything was missed. Is it possible that worry can cause some CES symptoms like bladder issues and gradual saddle anaesthesia?

How about if you had none of these symptoms but herniated/bulging disc .. had emergency surgery woke up all numb in saddle area / legs , then they did another emergency surgery 3 days later to fix what he did 3 days prior .. and know it’s 5-1/2’s later and still saddle numbness ,not able to urinate, dont even want to talk about the erection problem he will probably experience, what should be done now ? Sit and wait for bladder to turn back on ...? Or go in for more testing ?

Spinal fusion 8 months in and have pain again. Learned the hard way from using a bicycle and going for a ride. Herniated another disc right above fusion 6 months postop. More pain meds, nerve pain meds as well. No local help in my area. Feeling pretty scared. Does this mean more fusion or what?

Wish my gp had taken me seriously rather than leaving me almost 3 days before I was sent for emergency surgery.

I have ehlers danlos and. They are. ALWAYS. Momitoring me for. This..esp. with the leg. And low back pain. My veryabrae themselves. Ste. Hypermobile

St marks told me I had cauda equine the hospital over here lost my records

PHYSICIANS ARE SO PREOCCUPIED & BUSY WITH THEIR OWN ADGENDAS, THEY DO NOT EVER FULLY LISTEN...!

Great video! Are these cards available?

*I’m suddenly having difficult ejaculating, and have numbness around my genitals and pelvis.* Is this cauda equina syndrome?

Please someone help me I’m not being taken seriously I need help my bowl gone I wet my self my nose leeks like crazy I have a noise in my head like s wishing water.numb back.please help it’s gettwose two years and it’s getting worse

All I got was painkillers until I collapsed and got rushed to hospital

Nobody mentions HOW this syndrome is caused. Can someone please explain how does someone get this?

How to clear mine???

My L5S1 burst backwards and severed my nerves to my coxs nerves I have no feeling in my bum and vigina I can’t hold my bowels or urine , I was told I had crones please could you contact me I cough and I shit every where I feel suicidal with this

I got emergency

I found copies of the reference card from the video here: macpweb.org/home/index.php?p=548

I don't know if it was any good as the pointless and irritating music made it unwatchable