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Cauda Equina

The cauda equina is a bundle of nerve roots that extend beyond the bottom of the spinal cord, starting at the second lumbar vertebra. This bundle of nerve roots innervates the legs, feet, and organs in the lower body and gets its name from its horsetail shape – equina is Latin for horse; cauda is Latin for tail. This tail-like bundle of nerves is encased in membrane, and is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid.

When the nerve roots below the conus medullaris in the cauda equina become compressed or irritated because of a spinal condition such as a herniated disc or bulging disc, it can produce symptoms in the lower body that include:

• Localized lower back pain
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of sensation
• Slower reflexes

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Severely compressed nerve roots within the cauda equina can lead to a medical emergency called cauda equina syndrome, a loss of bowel and/or bladder control and partial or complete lower body paralysis. These symptoms can become permanent if the condition is left untreated, and immediate surgery usually is necessary. However, only a small percentage of patients with a herniated disc in the lumbar spine develop cauda equina syndrome. Most patients can manage their chronic symptoms through conservative treatments like physical therapy, exercise, and pain medications.

Even if your diagnosis isn’t as severe as cauda equina syndrome, you still might find that weeks and months of conservative treatment is not enough to manage chronic lower back pain and a doctor might present surgery as an option. Laser Spine Institute (LSI) offers an alternative to the long recovery time and hospital stay associated with traditional open back surgery. Contact LSI to learn how a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure can help you rediscover a life without pain, and to receive a free MRI or CT scan review.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.