{"id":2916,"date":"2026-08-13T02:05:26","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T02:05:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/34-74-180-255.nip.io\/glossary\/what-are-the-red-flag-signs-of-cauda-equina\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T21:05:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T21:05:17","slug":"what-are-the-red-flag-signs-of-cauda-equina","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/glossary\/what-are-the-red-flag-signs-of-cauda-equina\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are the Red Flag Signs of Cauda Equina?"},"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 Red Flags 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);\">Cauda equina syndrome is a spinal emergency. Recognizing the warning signs early can be the difference between recovery and permanent paralysis. Here is what to watch for.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+17867514283\">Request a Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Request a Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/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 any single new red flag below, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now. Cauda equina syndrome can cause permanent paralysis and loss of bladder and bowel control if treatment is delayed. 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 09, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n<h2>What Are the Red Flag Signs of Cauda Equina? The Warning Signs That Mean &#8220;Go to the ER Now&#8221;<\/h2>\n<p><strong>What are the red flag signs of cauda equina? If any sign below is new, do not wait. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.<\/strong> <a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/cauda-equina-syndrome\/\">Cauda equina syndrome<\/a> (CES) is one of the few back problems that is a true surgical emergency. With CES, time really matters. The longer the nerve roots stay squeezed, the more they stop working.<\/p>\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\/physiotherapist-applies-kinesiology-tape-to-a-young-woman-s-photo-2-3.jpg\" alt=\"Physiotherapist applies kinesiology tape to a young woman&#x27;s lower back during a therapy session.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" width=\"1880\" height=\"1253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/physiotherapist-applies-kinesiology-tape-to-a-young-woman-s-photo-2-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/physiotherapist-applies-kinesiology-tape-to-a-young-woman-s-photo-2-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/physiotherapist-applies-kinesiology-tape-to-a-young-woman-s-photo-2-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/physiotherapist-applies-kinesiology-tape-to-a-young-woman-s-photo-2-3-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/physiotherapist-applies-kinesiology-tape-to-a-young-woman-s-photo-2-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/physiotherapist-applies-kinesiology-tape-to-a-young-woman-s-photo-2-3.jpg 1880w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1880px) 100vw, 1880px\"\/><\/figure>\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;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,#900000);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\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\">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 chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+17867514283\">Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><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<h2>Red flag signs of cauda equina \u2014 go to the ER if any are new<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>You can&#8217;t pee, or you can&#8217;t tell when you need to<\/strong> (urinary retention).<\/li>\n<li><strong>You&#8217;re leaking urine or stool, or can&#8217;t feel it happening<\/strong> (new incontinence).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Numbness where you&#8217;d sit on a saddle<\/strong> \u2014 groin, buttocks, inner thighs, or genitals (&#8220;saddle anesthesia&#8221;).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Weakness or numbness in both legs<\/strong>, especially if it&#8217;s getting worse.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sciatica shooting down <em>both<\/em> legs at once<\/strong>, not just one.<\/li>\n<li><strong>New loss of feeling or function in the genital area.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You do <strong>not<\/strong> need all of these. <strong>One new red flag is enough<\/strong> to go to the ER.<\/p>\n<p>Tell the triage nurse in these exact words: <em>&#8220;I have new bladder problems and numbness in my groin \u2014 I&#8217;m worried about cauda equina.&#8221;<\/em> Saying it plainly helps make sure you&#8217;re not sent home with ordinary back pain.<\/p>\n<p><em>This page is educational. It is not medical or legal advice. Get emergency care first. You can read the rest later.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>What the cauda equina is (in plain English)<\/h2>\n<p>At the bottom of your spinal cord, the cord ends. There, it splits into a bundle of nerve roots. They fan out like a horse&#8217;s tail. That is exactly what <em>cauda equina<\/em> means in Latin. These nerves run to your legs, bladder, bowel, and the area around your groin.<\/p>\n<p>Cauda equina syndrome happens when something presses hard on that bundle. The most common cause is a <strong>large herniated (ruptured) disc in the lower back<\/strong>. But other things can cause it too. These include a spinal fracture from a crash, a tumor, an infection, bleeding, or a badly narrowed spinal canal. When the nerves are squeezed, the signals to your bladder, bowel, and legs start to fail.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/herniated-disk\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20354095\">Mayo Clinic<\/a> explains this clearly. A herniated disk can press on the whole spinal canal, including the cauda equina nerves. This can cause loss of bladder or bowel control. Mayo says to <strong>seek emergency medical attention<\/strong> for worsening symptoms, sudden bladder or bowel trouble, and &#8220;saddle anesthesia.&#8221; Here is the plain test: if these nerve functions change suddenly, it&#8217;s an ER problem. It is not a wait-and-see problem.<\/p>\n<h2>Why time is everything \u2014 for your nerves and for your rights<\/h2>\n<p>The nerve roots of the cauda equina are living tissue. The longer they stay squeezed, the more the damage becomes permanent. The usual treatment is <strong>surgical decompression<\/strong>. This is an operation to take the pressure off the nerves. Surgeons try to relieve the pressure quickly. Delay is what turns fixable symptoms into permanent ones.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s why doctors call CES a &#8220;surgical emergency.&#8221; It&#8217;s also why the exact words you use in the ER matter. A permanent spinal cord or nerve injury can change bladder control, sexual function, and the ability to walk for life. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20377890\">Mayo Clinic notes<\/a> that spinal cord and nerve damage can cause lasting loss of movement, changed feeling, and loss of bowel or bladder control.<\/p>\n<p>The same &#8220;time matters&#8221; idea applies later, too \u2014 if the harm turns out to be preventable. Evidence is freshest right after it happens. That includes the ER triage notes, the timing of when an MRI was ordered, and who saw you and when. Legal deadlines run on a clock too. More on that below.<\/p>\n<h2>Ordinary sciatica vs. cauda equina: a calm way to self-triage<\/h2>\n<p>Most back and leg pain is <strong>not<\/strong> cauda equina. Here&#8217;s a calm way to tell the difference.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Usually NOT an emergency<\/th>\n<th>Treat as an EMERGENCY<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Pain shooting down <strong>one<\/strong> leg<\/td>\n<td>Symptoms in <strong>both<\/strong> legs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Numbness or tingling along one leg<\/td>\n<td><strong>Saddle numbness<\/strong> (groin, buttocks, inner thighs)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Normal peeing and bowel control<\/td>\n<td><strong>New<\/strong> trouble peeing, retention, or leaking<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>No change in genital sensation<\/td>\n<td><strong>New<\/strong> loss of genital sensation or sexual function<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pain that eases with rest or position<\/td>\n<td>Symptoms getting worse fast<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/figure>\n\n<p>Do you have ordinary one-sided sciatica, with normal bladder, bowel, and saddle feeling? That is genuinely reassuring. But it&#8217;s still worth telling your doctor. If any item on the right applies and is <strong>new<\/strong>, go to the ER now. This chart is a guide, not a substitute for an exam.<\/p>\n<h2>Are there warning signs before full cauda equina?<\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes. CES can build over hours or days. Or it can hit suddenly. Early or &#8220;incomplete&#8221; warning signs can include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Low-back pain that keeps getting worse<\/li>\n<li>Changing or reduced feeling in the groin or buttocks<\/li>\n<li>Having to strain to start peeing, or a weak stream<\/li>\n<li>Less feeling when passing urine<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Don&#8217;t wait for the &#8220;full picture.&#8221; Doctors split CES into two stages. <strong>CES-R<\/strong> means retention \u2014 the bladder has already stopped emptying. <strong>CES-I<\/strong> means incomplete \u2014 the nerve signals are changed, but the bladder still works. The incomplete stage usually has a better outlook. Waiting for retention to set in is exactly how people slide from the better group into the worse one.<\/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;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,#900000);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Have questions about what happened?<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ask our team directly. The first conversation is free, confidential, and there is no obligation to continue.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+17867514283\">Talk to our team<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Talk to our team<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>The red flag signs of cauda equina, one at a time<\/h2>\n<p><strong>New difficulty urinating.<\/strong> You have trouble starting the stream, a weak flow, or a full bladder you can&#8217;t empty (urinary retention). This is one of the most commonly reported CES signs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>New bladder or bowel incontinence.<\/strong> You leak urine or stool, or can&#8217;t feel when you&#8217;re full. Any <em>new<\/em> change here is serious.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Saddle anesthesia.<\/strong> You have reduced or missing feeling where a saddle would touch \u2014 buttocks, inner thighs, groin, genitals, and around the anus. If that area feels numb, tingly, or &#8220;not there,&#8221; treat it as an emergency.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Leg weakness or numbness.<\/strong> You have weakness, numbness, or tingling in one or both legs. It&#8217;s most alarming when it&#8217;s getting worse fast or affecting both sides.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bilateral sciatica.<\/strong> Pain in one leg is common and usually not urgent. Pain shooting down <strong>both<\/strong> legs is a bigger warning sign.<\/p>\n<p><strong>New sexual dysfunction.<\/strong> You have new loss of genital feeling or function. The same nerve roots are involved.<\/p>\n<h2>How doctors check for cauda equina<\/h2>\n<p>The workup is fast and focused. The medical team usually:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tests feeling in the saddle area, your reflexes, and leg strength<\/li>\n<li>Checks whether the bladder is emptying \u2014 often by measuring leftover urine after you go, a &#8220;post-void residual&#8221; done with a quick bladder scan<\/li>\n<li>Asks the red-flag questions about bladder, bowel, saddle numbness, and leg weakness<\/li>\n<li>Orders an <strong>emergency MRI<\/strong> \u2014 magnetic resonance imaging \u2014 the standard scan to see whether the cauda equina nerves are being squeezed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the MRI confirms the nerves are being pressed, surgeons may recommend prompt decompression. To grade how severe a spinal cord or nerve injury is, doctors use the <strong>ASIA Impairment Scale<\/strong>. It is the international standard kept by the <a href=\"https:\/\/asia-spinalinjury.org\/international-standards-neurological-classification-sci-isncsci\/\">American Spinal Injury Association<\/a>. The scale grades injuries from A (complete) to E (normal). Doctors use it consistently in medical records \u2014 a detail that matters later if the case is ever reviewed.<\/p>\n<h2>When a missed or delayed diagnosis causes permanent harm<\/h2>\n<p>Here is the part the medical pages usually leave out.<\/p>\n<p>CES is unforgiving about timing. So a <strong>missed or delayed diagnosis<\/strong> can be the difference between recovery and permanent <a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/paralysis\/\">paralysis<\/a>. It can also mean lifelong loss of bladder or bowel control, or lasting sexual dysfunction. For people who are permanently affected, the aftermath is a lifetime of care. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christopherreeve.org\/\">Christopher &amp; Dana Reeve Foundation<\/a> documents this kind of long-term reality in its resources on living with paralysis.<\/p>\n<p>A common, preventable pattern looks like this. A patient arrives with clear red flags \u2014 new retention, saddle numbness, both legs affected. But they are treated as routine back pain. No urgent MRI is ordered. Hours pass. By the time the compression is found, the window for the best outcome has closed.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes reasonable medical care would have spotted those red flags sooner. And the delay caused permanent, life-altering injury. When that happens, families are right to ask whether <strong>medical negligence<\/strong> (a mistake in care) played a role. This is educational information, not a promise about any case. Every situation is different. It depends on the facts and on independent medical review.<\/p>\n<p>What you can do is learn where you stand \u2014 and do it before deadlines run out:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Time limit to file.<\/strong> In Florida, the deadline for most personal-injury claims is generally <strong>two years<\/strong> 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. \u00a7 95.11<\/a>. Medical-malpractice claims have their own timing and required pre-suit investigation steps under <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0766\/Sections\/0766.106.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7 766.106<\/a>. So acting early is the safest move.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shared fault.<\/strong> Florida follows a comparative-fault 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. \u00a7 768.81<\/a>. It covers how responsibility is split when more than one party is at fault.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>CHG Personal Injury Lawyers is a Florida-based firm. Our licensed attorneys are admitted to the Florida Bar. We focus on catastrophic, life-altering injuries \u2014 spinal cord injury and paralysis, traumatic brain injury, amputation, and severe burns \u2014 including harm caused by a delayed diagnosis. We serve clients in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. We take catastrophic cases nationwide, and we help families in <strong>English and Spanish<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Did a delayed CES diagnosis leave you or someone you love with permanent harm? <a href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Request a free case evaluation<\/a> to understand your options. The sooner records and timelines are preserved, the better. <strong>But if the symptoms are happening right now \u2014 go to the ER first.<\/strong><\/p>\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 red flag signs of cauda equina syndrome?<\/summary><p>New urinary retention or not being able to pee. New bladder or bowel incontinence. Saddle numbness (groin, buttock, and inner-thigh area). Weakness or numbness in both legs. And sciatica shooting down both legs at once. Any single new red flag is a reason for emergency care.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What is saddle anesthesia?<\/summary><p>It&#8217;s reduced or lost feeling where a saddle would touch \u2014 buttocks, inner thighs, groin, genitals, and around the anus. It&#8217;s one of the strongest warning signs of cauda equina. The Mayo Clinic says it&#8217;s a reason to seek emergency care.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How quickly does cauda equina need treatment?<\/summary><p>It&#8217;s a surgical emergency. Decompression surgery usually protects nerve function best when the pressure is relieved quickly. So go to the ER right away instead of waiting to see if it improves.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Is one-sided sciatica cauda equina?<\/summary><p>Usually not. Pain in one leg with normal bladder, bowel, and saddle feeling is common ordinary sciatica. It becomes a red flag when it affects both legs, or comes with bladder or bowel changes or saddle numbness.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a delayed cauda equina diagnosis be grounds for a claim?<\/summary><p>Sometimes. When reasonable medical care should have caught the red flags sooner, and the delay caused permanent injury, families may explore whether medical negligence contributed. No one can promise an outcome. The facts and independent medical review decide.<\/p><\/details>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img src=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/family-member-gently-supporting-a-loved-one-using-a-power-wh-photo-8-7-1024x572.png\" alt=\"Family member gently supporting a loved one using a power wheelchair at home.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" width=\"1024\" height=\"572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/family-member-gently-supporting-a-loved-one-using-a-power-wh-photo-8-7-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/family-member-gently-supporting-a-loved-one-using-a-power-wh-photo-8-7-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/family-member-gently-supporting-a-loved-one-using-a-power-wh-photo-8-7-768x429.png 768w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/family-member-gently-supporting-a-loved-one-using-a-power-wh-photo-8-7-1024x572.png 1024w, https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/family-member-gently-supporting-a-loved-one-using-a-power-wh-photo-8-7.png 1376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><\/figure>\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;border-left:6px solid var(--wp--preset--color--cta,#900000);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">Want to know where you stand?<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tell us what happened and our team will walk you through the options available to you, at no cost.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+17867514283\">Get a free review<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Get a free review<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Related reading<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/\">Injury glossary<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Spinal cord injury<\/li>\n<li>Why is quadriplegia now called tetraplegia?<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/can-a-tetraplegic-walk-again\/\">Can a tetraplegic walk again?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/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\">The Red Flag Signs of Cauda Equina Syndrome<\/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\">New Bladder Trouble<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New urinary retention \u2014 not being able to pee \u2014 or new loss of bladder control. This is one of the most important warning signs and calls for emergency care right away.<\/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\">New Bowel Incontinence<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A sudden loss of bowel control, or losing the ability to feel when you need to go, can signal that the nerves at the base of the spine are being compressed.<\/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\">Saddle Numbness<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Numbness or tingling in the area that would touch a saddle \u2014 the groin, buttocks, and inner thighs. Doctors call this &#x27;saddle anesthesia&#x27; and treat it as a serious alarm.<\/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\">Weakness in Both Legs<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Numbness, tingling, or weakness affecting both legs, or sciatica-type pain shooting down both legs at once. Any single new red flag is a reason for immediate emergency evaluation.<\/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\">When a Missed Diagnosis Becomes a Legal Matter<\/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\">Timing Matters<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cauda equina syndrome is often treatable with prompt surgical decompression. When these signs are dismissed or acted on too slowly, the result can be permanent, life-altering paralysis.<\/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--document\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When Care Falls Short<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If red flags were reported to a provider and not properly evaluated, the resulting permanent harm may support a medical negligence claim. We help families understand whether that happened.<\/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\">We Focus on Catastrophic Injury<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our practice centers on permanent, life-altering injuries \u2014 including spinal cord damage and paralysis. We understand what these cases require.<\/p><\/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\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--heart\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Support for the Whole Family<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Permanent paralysis reshapes daily life for the person injured and everyone who loves them. We handle the legal work so your family can focus on recovery.<\/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\">Experienced Advocates for the Catastrophically Injured<\/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=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--check chg-stat-ico\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center chg-stat has-base-color has-text-color\">Licensed<\/h3><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Florida Bar admitted attorneys<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--location chg-stat-ico\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center chg-stat has-base-color has-text-color\">Nationwide<\/h3><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Cases accepted across the U.S.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--chat chg-stat-ico\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center chg-stat has-base-color has-text-color\">Bilingual<\/h3><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">English &amp; Spanish resources<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--phone chg-stat-ico\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center chg-stat has-base-color has-text-color\">Free<\/h3><p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Confidential case evaluations<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\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-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 Spinal Emergency Was Missed, Talk With Us About Your Options<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-call\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:+17867514283\">Contact CHG Personal Injury Lawyers<\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta-form\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Contact CHG Personal Injury Lawyers<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related practice areas<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"\/resources\/glossary\/tetraplegia\/\">Tetraplegia<\/a><\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are the red flag signs of cauda equina? New bladder trouble, saddle numbness, or weak legs mean go to the ER now. Learn the warning signs.<\/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-red-flag-signs-of-cauda-equina\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"es\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/es\/glosario\/signos-alerta-cauda-equina\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"x-default\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/glossary\/what-are-the-red-flag-signs-of-cauda-equina\/\"}]","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 red flag signs of cauda equina?\", \"@type\": \"Question\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"text\": \"The main red flag signs of cauda equina syndrome are new inability to pass urine or a loss of the sensation that you need to (urinary retention), leaking urine or loss of bowel control, numbness in the saddle area (buttocks, inner thighs, and around the genitals and anus), and new weakness or numbness in one or both legs. 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