In fact, if you don't pay attention, lumbar spondylosis may develop into cauda equina syndrome to a certain extent, so today I will analyze the importance of lumbar process complicated with cauda equina syndrome. Horsetail syndrome is a serious complication of patients with lumbar disc herniation. Although most of the problems of lumbar disc herniation can be solved by conservative treatment, once patients have cauda equina nerve injury, they usually need immediate surgery, and then combined with postoperative rehabilitation treatment to restore health. Complete recovery accounts for a small proportion of patients, and most patients usually have incomplete recovery.
The number of patients with lumbar disc herniation is very large. In all patients with lumbar disc herniation, the incidence of cauda equina syndrome is 0.07% ~ 0. 12%. Although the incidence is not high, the consequences are very serious. It mainly affects patients' defecation function, sexual function, perineal sensory function, local control of lower limbs and abnormal sensory perception. Once perineal numbness, urinary retention, urinary incontinence and sphincter dysfunction occur, few patients can fully recover their functions even after surgical decompression treatment.
If patients with early lumbar disc herniation suspect cauda equina syndrome, the only relatively reliable reexamination method is lumbar MRI. If the compression or injury of cauda equina can be found in the early stage, corresponding treatment must be carried out in time to avoid the vicious development of the situation. Early treatment can also create better conditions for rehabilitation to the greatest extent.
The anatomical position of cauda equina nerve has always been in a special position, between the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Our normal spinal cord is in the spinal canal. Because the spinal cord is shorter than the spine, the end of the spinal cord is generally located at the level of the second lumbar vertebra, and the end of the spinal cord is connected with the cauda equina nerve. It is precisely because the shape of this nerve is similar to the tail of a horse that it is called cauda equina.
Therefore, for patients with lumbar disc herniation, if the disc below the second lumbar vertebra protrudes at this time, it is easy to produce cauda equina nerve compression or injury, which will lead to cauda equina syndrome and affect the quality of life and self-care ability.
The cauda equina is the lumbosacral nerve root below the conus medullaris. When the cauda equina is stressed or inflamed, corresponding symptoms will appear, which is what we call cauda equina syndrome. Our cauda equina nerve is distributed between the central system, pelvis and lower limbs, and transmits our sensory and motor nerve information. They are also responsible for many important functions of our body, such as the control and sensory functions of intestines, bladder, genitals, lower limbs and parts, so when it has problems, our body will also have various complications.
It is conceivable that when the nucleus pulposus is swollen, protruded or prolapsed due to acute injury or chronic injury, as long as it is squeezed into our nerve roots, it will cause severe low back pain, low back pain, lower limb pain accompanied by sensory disturbance, urinary incontinence, sensory loss, motor dysfunction and even complete loss of leg function.
If it is acute cauda equina nerve injury, it must be treated immediately. It is usually necessary to perform decompression surgery on the spine within 24 hours to reduce the pressure on the nerves. According to most cases, acute cauda equina syndrome is still rare. Most patients with cauda equina nerve injury are caused by bad posture, training methods, overwork or degenerative diseases of lumbar spine, compression of cystic tumors in the body, and some of them are caused by accidental injuries, such as surgical accidents and falls.
Generally speaking, single-finger lumbar disc herniation is mostly caused by incorrect posture and living habits, so we must remember to pay more attention to avoid the aggravation of lumbar disc herniation and the complications of cauda equina nerve injury.