cauda equina Flashcards
symptoms of CES
LOW BACK PAIN
INCONTINECE OF BOTH both constipation or incontentince and erectile dysfcntion
SADDLE ANAESTHESIA - wiping tissue
RADICULAR PAIN- can be alternating or both
gait abnormalities
definition of radicular pain
pain that starts from the back and spreads into the legs
where is the most common place for herniated disc
lumbar
what does a herniated disc cause and why
it compresses the nerve roots
what can cause herniated disc
trauma
injury
natural age
what does a herniated disc commonly cause
lower back pain
dx of lower back pain
- herniated disc
- cauda quina
- fracture of vertebrae
part of the disc anatomy
outer annulus fibrosis -tough
nucleous pulposus - jelly like
function of discs?
cushion and act as shoc absorberd
less friction between the bones
how does a herniated disc happen
jelly like subatnce pushes outwards
what can cause sciatica
- A herniated disc
- piriormis muscle contacting and putting pressure on it
symptoms of sciatica
- numbness of leg
- weakness of the leg
- pain often worse when coughing, straining
- typically unilateral
which muscle does the sciatic nerve pass under
pririformis
causes of CES
herniates disc- most common
tumour
trauma
tx CES
refer to surgery dor decompression
if its malignancy use sterodis
what level does spinal cord end
L1
how do you dx sciatica and CES
sciatica will not affect the bowel/bladder
investigations CES
NB- MRI
examinations for CES (ED)
- Pre and post void bladder
- digital rectal exam for tone
- refelexes
- sensation
- power
how to test for saddle anaesthesia
- down the but crack just the very top
what would happen to the reflexes in CES
can be both
deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) in the lower limbs are often diminished or absent, particularly in the ankle (Achilles reflex) and patellar (knee jerk reflex). This is because the cauda equina consists of nerve roots that contribute to these reflexes, and when those nerve roots are compressed or damaged, the reflexes can be impaired.
PR EXAM CES what to ask
do you feel my finger ?
can you squeeze my finger
cough
whats more common in terms of bladder in CES
RETENTION
