{"id":21116,"date":"2026-08-14T00:22:21","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T00:22:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/glossary\/what-are-the-early-signs-of-cauda-equina-syndrome\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T20:42:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T20:42:43","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-cauda-equina-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/glossary\/what-are-the-early-signs-of-cauda-equina-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are the Early Signs of Cauda Equina Syndrome?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-secondary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-048755b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:4rem;padding-bottom:4rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Cauda Equina Syndrome: The Early Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore<\/h1>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.625), 1.25rem);\">This rare spinal emergency can cause permanent paralysis, loss of bladder and bowel control, and lifelong impairment when it isn&#x27;t treated fast. Knowing the signs can protect you and your family.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">This is a medical emergency<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you or a loved one has severe low back pain along with new numbness in the groin or inner thighs, leg weakness, or a sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now. Every hour matters. This page is educational and is not medical advice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.5rem\">By CHG Lawyers \u00b7 Published August 14, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n<h2>What Are the Early Signs of Cauda Equina Syndrome?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>What are the early signs of cauda equina syndrome? Get emergency care now if you have new, severe low-back pain plus any of these red flags:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Saddle numbness<\/strong> \u2014 numbness, tingling, or &#8220;pins and needles&#8221; in your groin, buttocks, inner thighs, or genitals<\/li>\n<li><strong>New trouble urinating<\/strong> \u2014 you can&#8217;t start the stream, can&#8217;t empty your bladder, or can&#8217;t urinate at all<\/li>\n<li><strong>New loss of bladder or bowel control<\/strong> \u2014 leaking, or no urge to go<\/li>\n<li><strong>New leg weakness or numbness<\/strong> in one or both legs, or trouble walking<\/li>\n<li><strong>New numbness in the genitals, or new sexual problems<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Any one of these signs <strong>plus low-back pain<\/strong> can point to <a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/cauda-equina-syndrome\/\">cauda equina syndrome<\/a> (CES). CES is a true spinal emergency. Do not wait for a routine appointment. Go to the emergency room or call 911.<\/p>\n<p>Here is why speed matters, and it is the most important fact on this page. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ninds.nih.gov\/health-information\/disorders\/cauda-equina-syndrome\">National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)<\/a> describes CES as a condition in which delayed treatment can lead to permanent loss of bladder and bowel control, leg weakness, and <a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/paralysis\/\">paralysis<\/a>. Caught early, it is often treatable. <strong>Hours can decide whether you walk again.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"cta-dose-mid wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a delay in care left you or someone you love with permanent harm, talk it through with our team &#8212; the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><em>If you are searching for these symptoms in Spanish, this same guide is available in Spanish so you and your family can read it in the language you trust most.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2>What the cauda equina is \u2014 and why the clock starts immediately<\/h2>\n<p>The cauda equina is a bundle of nerve roots that fans out from the bottom of your spinal cord. The name is Latin for &#8220;horse&#8217;s tail,&#8221; because that is what the fanned-out roots look like.<\/p>\n<p>These nerves control your legs, your bladder and bowel, and feeling in the &#8220;saddle&#8221; area \u2014 the part of you that would touch a saddle if you sat on a horse.<\/p>\n<p>CES happens when something crushes or damages that nerve bundle. The pressure can come from a herniated disc, a spinal fracture, a tumor, an infection (an abscess), or bleeding.<\/p>\n<p>Doctors treat CES as an emergency for one reason: nerve roots that stay squeezed can die, and dead nerves do not recover. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic<\/a> explains that damage to the spinal cord and its nerve roots can cause lasting loss of movement, feeling, and bladder or bowel control. That is why every hour counts.<\/p>\n\n<h2>How a serious accident can cause it<\/h2>\n<p>CES is often thought of as a &#8220;disc&#8221; problem, but severe trauma can compress or fracture the lower (lumbar) spine and pinch the same nerve roots. That matters because it puts CES squarely in the world of catastrophic accident injuries \u2014 not just gradual disc disease.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Truck and other high-force crashes.<\/strong> A rear-end or underride collision with an 18-wheeler transmits enormous force to the spine. A burst fracture of a lumbar vertebra can drive bone fragments into the spinal canal and compress the cauda equina.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Falls from height and crush injuries.<\/strong> These can fracture or dislocate the lower spine.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Penetrating trauma<\/strong> \u2014 for example, in an assault or shooting on a poorly secured property.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When CES follows this kind of trauma, the early red flags below can be masked by other injuries, pain medication, or the chaos of an emergency room. That is exactly when saddle numbness and new bladder trouble can be missed \u2014 and why they must be checked for on purpose.<\/p>\n\n<h2>The early warning signs of cauda equina syndrome, explained one by one<\/h2>\n<h3>1 \u2014 Severe low-back pain, often shooting into the legs<\/h3>\n<p>New or worsening severe low-back pain is often the first symptom. It may shoot down one or both legs. This leg pain is called sciatica.<\/p>\n<p>Back pain on its own is common and usually <strong>not<\/strong> CES. It is the combination with the signs below that raises the alarm.<\/p>\n<h3>2 \u2014 Saddle numbness or altered feeling<\/h3>\n<p>This is numbness, tingling, or dullness in the groin, buttocks, inner thighs, or genitals. Doctors call it &#8220;saddle anesthesia,&#8221; and it is one of the clearest red flags.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a simple self-check: when you wipe, does toilet paper feel dull or feel like nothing at all? That is not normal. Take it seriously.<\/p>\n<h3>3 \u2014 New trouble urinating (urinary retention)<\/h3>\n<p>You may have trouble starting the stream. Your bladder may not empty fully. Or you may not be able to urinate at all. Doctors call this urinary retention, and it is a key warning sign.<\/p>\n<h3>4 \u2014 New loss of bladder or bowel control<\/h3>\n<p>You may leak urine or stool without meaning to, or lose the urge to go entirely. New loss of control, along with back pain, is a serious pattern.<\/p>\n<h3>5 \u2014 New leg weakness or trouble walking<\/h3>\n<p>Your legs may feel weak, heavy, or numb, in one leg or both. Standing or walking becomes hard.<\/p>\n<h3>6 \u2014 New sexual problems or lost genital feeling<\/h3>\n<p>New numbness in the genital area, or new sexual problems, often shows up with the signs above.<\/p>\n<p>Not every sign shows up at once. Early symptoms can be mild and easy to brush off. That is exactly why the <em>combination<\/em> matters.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Incomplete vs. complete CES \u2014 and why the difference decides your outcome<\/h2>\n<p>Most pages skip this, but it is the most important medical point for your recovery, so we will be direct. Doctors sort CES into two stages:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CES-I (incomplete):<\/strong> early, changing symptoms. You may have partial saddle numbness, trouble urinating, or reduced feeling when you urinate \u2014 but the bladder still works to some degree. <strong>You can still urinate on your own.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>CES-R (retention):<\/strong> full urinary retention and loss of control. The bladder no longer empties on command.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This line is not just theory. Surgery done while a person is still in the <strong>incomplete<\/strong> stage generally gives a far better chance of recovering bladder, bowel, and leg function. That chance drops once retention sets in.<\/p>\n<p>In real life, the window between &#8220;treatable&#8221; and &#8220;permanent&#8221; is often just hours. That is why &#8220;I&#8217;ll see my doctor next week&#8221; can be a terrible decision.<\/p>\n<p>The takeaway: ordinary back pain alone is usually not CES. But back pain <strong>plus<\/strong> bladder or bowel changes <strong>plus<\/strong> saddle numbness is the pattern that means the emergency room tonight, not tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n<h2>How fast does cauda equina develop?<\/h2>\n<p>There are two patterns. It can strike <strong>fast<\/strong>, over a few hours, or build <strong>slowly<\/strong>, over days or weeks. Both are serious; the fast kind is the most urgent. Across the medical literature, delay in relieving the pressure is associated with worse, often permanent outcomes \u2014 which is why doctors move quickly the moment they suspect CES.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/young-adult-in-a-wheelchair-working-with-a-physical-therapis-photo-3.png\" alt=\"Young adult in a wheelchair working with a physical therapist in a spinal injury rehabilitation gym.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" width=\"1376\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/young-adult-in-a-wheelchair-working-with-a-physical-therapis-photo-3-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/young-adult-in-a-wheelchair-working-with-a-physical-therapis-photo-3-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/young-adult-in-a-wheelchair-working-with-a-physical-therapis-photo-3-768x429.png 768w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/young-adult-in-a-wheelchair-working-with-a-physical-therapis-photo-3-1024x572.png 1024w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/young-adult-in-a-wheelchair-working-with-a-physical-therapis-photo-3.png 1376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1376px) 100vw, 1376px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>What to expect at the hospital<\/h2>\n<p>Do not wait for a callback from your regular doctor. Go to the ER or call 911. At the hospital, the steps are usually the same:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>A neurological exam.<\/strong> Doctors check reflexes, leg strength, and feeling in the saddle area. Many ERs will also measure how much urine stays in your bladder after you go (a &#8220;post-void residual&#8221;) to see whether you are retaining urine.<\/li>\n<li><strong>An urgent MRI<\/strong> of the lower spine. An MRI is a scan that shows the inside of your spine and is the standard test to confirm or rule out CES. If these red flags call for an MRI, it should not wait until morning.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Time-sensitive surgery (decompression)<\/strong> if CES is confirmed. This operation takes the pressure off the nerve roots. The sooner it happens, the better the odds of protecting function.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This article is educational information, not medical advice. Only a doctor can diagnose you \u2014 so if you have these symptoms, the next step is the emergency room, not a search for more articles.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Can you walk if you have cauda equina syndrome?<\/h2>\n<p>It depends. Two things matter most: how much nerve damage happened, and how fast it was relieved. Some people recover much of their function after prompt surgery. Others are left with lasting weakness, paralysis, loss of bladder or bowel control, or sexual problems. For related questions, see <a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/what-happens-if-you-have-cauda-equina\/\">what happens if you have cauda equina<\/a> and <a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/can-a-tetraplegic-walk-again\/\">can a tetraplegic walk again<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Rehab teams often measure the severity of spinal nerve injury using the ISNCSCI exam and AIS grade published by the <a href=\"https:\/\/asia-spinalinjury.org\/international-standards-neurological-classification-sci-isncsci\/\">American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nscisc.uab.edu\/\">National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC)<\/a> uses that same framework to track long-term outcomes. Resources like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christopherreeve.org\/\">Christopher &amp; Dana Reeve Foundation<\/a> offer support for living with paralysis. These grades help set realistic hopes for recovery.<\/p>\n\n<h2>When a delayed diagnosis turns a treatable emergency into permanent paralysis<\/h2>\n<p>Here is the connection clinical pages rarely make, told plainly and without pressure.<\/p>\n<p>CES is a <em>known<\/em> emergency with a <em>known<\/em> treatment window. So the difference between recovery and lifelong paralysis often comes down to timing that someone could have controlled. Sometimes a patient arrives with the red flags above, and then:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the ER sends them home with painkillers, without checking saddle feeling or bladder retention,<\/li>\n<li>no urgent MRI is ordered, even with classic warning signs, or<\/li>\n<li>a confirmed diagnosis waits too long for surgery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When that happens, a treatable condition can become permanent paralysis. In the catastrophic-injury cases our attorneys handle, we have seen how a preventable delay of hours can change a family&#8217;s life forever. Losing the ability to walk, or losing bladder and bowel control, is a permanent, life-altering injury.<\/p>\n<p>To be clear about a distinction that matters: citing the Mayo Clinic, NINDS, ASIA, or a Florida statute is us pointing you to a trustworthy source for a <em>fact<\/em>. It is never us sending you elsewhere for care or for a lawyer. If you have symptoms, your next step is the ER. If a delay already caused permanent harm, your next step for legal answers is a free case evaluation with our firm.<\/p>\n<p>In Florida, a claim for medical negligence generally must be filed within <strong>two years<\/strong>, and no later than four years from the incident, under <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0000-0099\/0095\/Sections\/0095.11.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a795.11(4)(b)<\/a>. Florida also follows a modified comparative-negligence rule under <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0768\/Sections\/0768.81.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7768.81<\/a>, meaning shared fault can reduce \u2014 and in some cases block \u2014 a recovery. Deadlines are strict, so time matters here too.<\/p>\n<p>We cannot promise any specific outcome. But our Florida Bar-admitted attorneys handle catastrophic spinal-cord and paralysis cases nationwide, and we publish these guides in English and Spanish. If a delayed CES diagnosis left you or a loved one with permanent harm, <a href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">contact us for a free case evaluation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Related questions and resources<\/h2>\n<p>For more plain-language answers on serious spinal injuries, visit our <a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/\">injury glossary<\/a>. See also <a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/what-happens-if-you-have-cauda-equina\/\">what happens if you have cauda equina<\/a> and <a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/can-a-tetraplegic-walk-again\/\">can a tetraplegic walk again<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What are the early signs of cauda equina syndrome?<\/summary><p>Early signs include severe low back pain, weakness or numbness in one or both legs, and numbness in the &#8220;saddle&#8221; area (the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks). New trouble urinating or a loss of bladder or bowel control is a major warning sign that needs emergency care right away.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Why is cauda equina syndrome considered a medical emergency?<\/summary><p>The nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord control your legs, bladder, and bowels, and steady pressure on them can cause permanent damage in a short time. According to NINDS, delayed treatment can lead to lasting paralysis and loss of bladder and bowel control, so any suspected case should go to the emergency room immediately.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a truck crash or serious accident cause cauda equina syndrome?<\/summary><p>Yes. High-force trauma \u2014 such as a truck collision, a fall from height, or a crush injury \u2014 can fracture or compress the lower spine and pinch the cauda equina nerve roots. In the aftermath of a serious accident, these symptoms can be missed, which makes it important to have saddle feeling and bladder function checked.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a delayed diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome lead to a legal claim?<\/summary><p>If a doctor or hospital failed to recognize or treat clear warning signs in time, and that delay caused permanent harm, the injured person or their family may have a medical negligence claim. Because these cases are complex and time-sensitive, it is important to have the facts reviewed by a licensed attorney.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What should I do if a loved one suffered permanent paralysis after cauda equina syndrome?<\/summary><p>Focus first on their medical care and keep all records, test results, and treatment dates. When you are ready, you can contact CHG Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation to learn whether the paralysis may be connected to someone else&#8217;s negligence.<\/p><\/details><\/article>\n<footer class=\"disclaimer\"><em>This is attorney advertising. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.<\/em><\/footer>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-surface-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Early Signs to Watch For<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Severe Low Back Pain<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Intense pain in the lower back, sometimes shooting down one or both legs, that feels different or far worse than ordinary back pain.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leg Weakness or Numbness<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New weakness, numbness, or tingling in one or both legs, or difficulty walking, standing, or feeling your feet on the floor.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&quot;Saddle&quot; Numbness<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Loss of sensation in the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks \u2014 the area that would touch a saddle. This is a red-flag symptom.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bladder or Bowel Changes<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New trouble urinating, an inability to control the bladder or bowel, or leaking. This warning sign demands emergency care right away.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Why Cauda Equina Syndrome Can Be Life-Altering<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--clock\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Time Is Everything<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cauda equina syndrome compresses the nerves at the base of the spine. Delayed diagnosis or delayed surgery can turn a treatable emergency into permanent damage.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--shield\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Permanent Impairment Is a Real Risk<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without prompt treatment, victims can face lasting paralysis, loss of bladder and bowel control, sexual dysfunction, and chronic pain \u2014 a catastrophic, life-changing outcome.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--info\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It Can Follow an Accident or a Missed Diagnosis<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This condition can result from a serious trauma such as a truck crash, or from a healthcare provider&#x27;s failure to recognize the warning signs in time.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How CHG Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--document\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">We Focus on Catastrophic Injuries<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our practice centers on serious, permanent, life-altering harm \u2014 including spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and catastrophic back and neck injuries.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--users\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Licensed Attorneys, Florida Bar Admitted<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our team is made up of licensed attorneys admitted to the Florida Bar, and we accept catastrophic injury cases nationwide.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--chat\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bilingual Support<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We publish and communicate in both English and Spanish so families can understand their options clearly.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4d466591 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-base-color has-text-color\">If a delay or a serious accident led to permanent harm, we&#x27;re ready to listen.<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related practice areas<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/what-is-the-most-common-cause-of-cauda-equina\/\">What is the most common cause of cauda equina?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/tetraplegia\/\">Tetraplegia<\/a><\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are the early signs of cauda equina syndrome? Saddle numbness, bladder trouble, leg weakness plus back pain \u2014 a spinal emergency. Learn the red flags.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":79,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"chg_canonical":"","chg_lang":"","chg_hreflang":"[{\"hreflang\": \"en\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/glossary\/what-are-the-early-signs-of-cauda-equina-syndrome\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"es\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/es\/glosario\/primeros-signos-sindrome-cauda-equina\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"x-default\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/glossary\/what-are-the-early-signs-of-cauda-equina-syndrome\/\"}]","chg_jsonld":"[{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"speakable\": {\"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\", \"cssSelector\": [\"article > p:first-of-type\", \".wp-block-details p\", \"article > h1\"]}, \"mainEntity\": [{\"name\": \"What are the early signs of cauda equina syndrome?\", \"@type\": \"Question\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"text\": \"Early signs of cauda equina syndrome include new, severe low-back pain combined with any of these red flags: saddle numbness (numbness or tingling in the groin, buttocks, inner thighs, or genitals), new trouble urinating (difficulty starting the stream, inability to empty the bladder, or inability to urinate at all), new loss of bladder or bowel control, weakness or numbness in one or both legs, and new sexual dysfunction. 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