Partial Cauda Equina Syndrome

Partial cauda equina syndrome is another way of saying incomplete cauda equina syndrome.

Partial/incomplete/complete cauda equina syndrome

When cauda equina syndrome first develops, it can be described as partial or incomplete. When it progresses to the next and final stage, it can be described as complete or ‘cauda equina in retention’.

The difference between the two stages is very important and determines whether or not a patient will be able to make a recovery.

Partial or incomplete cauda equina syndrome

When the condition is partial or incomplete, the nerves still retain some function. This means that a patient will have symptoms, but they theoretically will be able to make a recovery. These symptoms will include:

• Urinary disturbances but still with executive bladder control
• Loss of sensation in the saddle area
• Chronic back pain

These symptoms occur because the cauda equina nerves are being damaged by the compression, leading to a loss of function.

Partial CES and bladder symptoms

The most notable symptom at the incomplete stage is executive bladder control.

A patient will have urinary problems, such as the loss of urethral sensation, inability to fully empty the bladder, poor flow and increased urgency. However, there will still be executive bladder control, meaning a patient will be able to decide when to pass urine. As long as a patient has this ability, he/she is still in the incomplete stage.

Complete cauda equina syndrome

As soon as executive bladder control is lost, a patient has progressed to the next and final stage of complete cauda equina syndrome. A patient will often be described as ‘being in retention’. This refers to urinary retention. It happens because there is no longer any sensation in the bladder, meaning the patient will not be aware of the need to pass urine. The bladder can only hold so much liquid, so after a while the bladder will simply overflow, resulting in a painless episode of urinary incontinence.

Treating cauda equina syndrome

Therefore when deciding whether a patient has partial or complete CES, doctors must assess whether there is urinary retention. If not, they should proceed to emergency surgery, as nerve function can be salvaged, at least partially. If there is urinary retention, there is little point in performing emergency surgery as the nerves are already irreparably damaged. In such cases it is accepted to wait until the following day to decompress the nerves.

Cauda equina solicitors

If your cauda equina syndrome was not treated in the partial/incomplete stage, causing you to suffer avoidable harm, please get in touch with us today.

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