The ponytail is a bundle of nerves in the form of a fibrous extension of the spinal cord, which in humans ends in the region of the first lumbar vertebra.
With its help, the innervation of the lower extremities and internal organs in the pelvic region occurs.
The cauda equina syndrome( hereafter for convenience of CKH) is the damage to the nerve roots of this bundle, due to inflammation or mechanical compression, which without immediate surgery can lead to serious disorders in the functioning of the pelvic organs , to loss of sensitivity and even paralysis of the lower extremities.
Article Contents
- manifestation syndrome
- Causes of illness
- Signs syndrome
- Diagnostic techniques
- Treatment pathology
- Surgery
- Preventive measures
manifestation syndrome
Initially, there is a strong pain is localized in the lower back, followed her progress down - start to hurt the buttock muscles, further irradiation ison the back of the thighs.
Other manifestations of CKH include weakness of the leg muscles, decrease in overall sensitivity in the lower part of the body, feeling of numbness in the groin, cob, or in the sacrum.
If you like riding a horse, then it is familiar to you - the loss of sensitivity of the legs due to their prolonged squeezing of the horse's saddle. The loss of knee and Achilles reflexes can also be associated with CKH.There are various abnormalities in the work of the intestine and bladder, as well as in the sexual sphere.
Causes of the disease
They can be divided into mechanical and inflammatory. These can be:
- herniated intervertebral disc;
- lumbosacral plexopathy is a lesion of the anterior branches of the nerve plexuses of the spinal cord in the lumbar region;
- congenital anomalies;
- narrowing of the vertebrae of the lumbar region;
- tumors of the spinal cord;
- hemorrhage in the region of the spine;
- infectious diseases.
Symptoms of the syndrome
Pain in the case of disease is of two types - local and radicular.
Local is characterized by a strong and deep character, localized in a place where the body of the vertebra and surrounding soft tissues are irritated.
Radicular occurs when the nerve bundle is squeezed and spreads along the nerve path, characterized by an extremely acute character.
Dysfunction of the pelvic organs can be very different - both urinary retention and incontinence, with intestines as constipation, and complete incontinence of faeces.
Diagnostic techniques
On the photo of MRI with cauda equina syndrome
The primary diagnosis is made on the basis of the patient's questionnaire, then the doctor's task is to determine the cause of CCH and to select an effective method of treatment.
To do this, use laboratory tests, use physical( examination, palpation and other methods based on the use of a doctor of his senses) examination, computer and magnetic resonance imaging.
This allows you to determine the focus of the lesion, and determine whether these symptoms are the consequence of cancer or infectious diseases.
Treatment of pathology
As mentioned in most cases, surgical intervention is used for the treatment of horse tail syndrome, but the treatment directly depends on the causes of compression.
When Bechterew's disease, which is characterized by inflammatory processes, is usually treated with conservative methods of treatment - the patient is prescribed corticosteroids and non-steroid medicines( eg ibuprofen, prikixam, diclofenac, tselebreks, orthophen).
If the cause of compression is tumor metastasis, then radiotherapy is used.
For infectious diseases, antibiotic therapy is used, based on antibiotics.
What is dorsopathia of the cervical spine - the symptoms and treatment of diseases that cause this pain syndrome. Learn about the effectiveness of joint gelatin treatment - recipes and tips you can find in our material.
Operative intervention
Now let's talk about the surgical form of treatment.
When a herniated disc is used, a laminectomy( removal of part of the vertebra) or a discectomy( removal of part of the intervertebral disc).
By the nature of the symptoms, it is possible to build a forecast for CKH.
For example, patients with pain in both legs are less likely to fully recover all functions than patients with pain in one of the legs.
If there is complete numbness of the scrotum( perineum) - , there is a high probability of permanent bladder paralysis .Also, according to the degree of reduction of 
numbness in this area, one can judge the course of recovery.
Recovery of bladder function may take a couple of years. Postoperative use of medicines is aimed at restoring the functions of the pelvic organs.
Preventive measures
Prevention is the proper identification of symptoms, since most patients with low back pain and leg pain and muscle weakness do not get the diagnosis of CX.
But if there are problems with sensitivity in the inguinal region, disturbances in the functioning of the bladder and intestine, then it is worth paying close attention to this patient.
It is also necessary to periodically consult your doctor about the occurrence of pain and their relationship to the frequency of your natural shots.
Remember that there is an inverse relationship between the onset of pain and numbness and the beginning of treatment - the longer this time interval - the less chance of a full recovery, and the resulting dysfunctions and paresis become permanent and will never allow you to return to a full life.
Take care of yourself and your loved ones!
