Case study of good natural recovery from cauda equina syndrome ∞

If I developed the symptoms of impingement of the lower spinal cord, I would be a little freaked out. Numbness between the legs and failing leg reflexes are intimidating! 😱 And certainly “cauda equina syndrome” (CES) is not a condition anyone should take lightly. (Fortunately it’s quite rare.)

But, like so many other problems with the body, sometimes CES just goes away. Phew! 😌

Seth Petersen reported such a case. It took a while, and the patient was monitored for safety and given some basic help. But he just got better: quite a bit at first, and then more slowly over many months.

Case like this are what “watchful waiting” is for. You don’t just wait watchfully for every case. But this story is a good reminder that it can actually go quite well.