ORCID

Abstract

Objectives: Although long term disability may be a consequence of cauda equina syndrome (CES), the evidence base for the effect of rehabilitation or different rehabilitation strategies is lacking. Our aim was to understand long term neurological deficits (understood as rehabilitation needs) and current rehabilitation provision for patients with CES. Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from a large UK wide cohort of CES patients presenting between 1st June 2018 and 31st May 2019. Rehabilitation referrals and attendance were described, and symptoms at discharge and one year were identified as potential targets for rehabilitation. Results: Physiotherapy was the most common inpatient rehabilitation service accessed following surgery for CES (572/610, 94%). Few patients were referred to specialist spinal rehabilitation services at discharge (49/608, 8%). At one year follow up there were high rates of residual symptoms (motor (66%), bladder (20%), bowel (17%), and sexual dysfunction (13%)). There was a significantly higher level of ongoing bladder dysfunction in females (27%) compared with males (11%) despite similar levels at presentation (females 84% vs males 82%). Conclusion: Referral to specialist spinal rehabilitation following CES surgery is not routine in the UK but a notable proportion of patients have ongoing symptoms at one year following surgical decompression. Prospective studies of rehabilitation strategies following surgery for CES are needed to guide treatment decisions and optimise post-surgical outcomes.

Publication Date

2025-01-01

Publication Title

World Neurosurgery: X

Volume

27

ISSN

2590-1397

Acceptance Date

2025-06-03

Deposit Date

2026-05-05

Keywords

Cauda equina syndrome, Nervous system diseases, Postoperative care, Rehabilitation, Spinal cord injury

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Download

Share

COinS