Suggest Treatment For Cauda Equina Syndrome

Posted on Sat, 4 Mar 2017

Question: Hi there. After doing the symptom checker on WebMD (I know I probably shouldn't have done that) I came across a condition that matched up with my symptoms. The condition is Cauda Equina Syndrome. After reading more about it, I couldn't help but compare my symptoms to it and realize it matched up almost perfectly. My back has been causing me a lot of pain since October/November of 2015 and has progressively started getting worse and worse to the point where it sometimes keeps me up at night. I have been to the doctors and they all day that it's either "in my mind" or that it's only just muscle. However, I had a feeling that that was not the case, and I most certainly was not making it up. After having an x-ray of my spine done (which wasn't even done by a doctor, it was done at a chiropractor), it was discovered that I must have broken my tailbone at some point in my life as instead of it being nice and rounded, it was sharp and flat like I landed right on it and smushed it flat. What do you think I should do?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Neurological examination and imaging studies are necessary.

Detailed Answer:
hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

If clinically suspected, cauda equina syndrome is a serious neurological condition that needs to be diagnosed by imaging studies too, besides neurological examination.

It is necessary to discuss with your Doctor about getting a MRI of your lumbosacral spine done.

Tailbone fracture may result in sensibility changes on perianal area.

In conclusion, medical examination and imaging studies are necessary.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng