Many patients have a combination of back pain, leg pain, leg numbness and weakness. These symptoms can be distressing for you but don't necessarily require emergency medical attention. 

A rare but servious back condition, Cauda Equina Syndrome, can lead to permanent damage or disability and will need to be seen by an Emergency Specialist Spinal Team. 

Alert (Red)

If you experience any combination of the below warning signs, seek help immediately

Cauda Equina Syndrome warning signs

  • Loss of feeling/pins and needles between your inner thighs or genitals
  • Numbness in or around your back passage or buttocks
  • Altered feeling when using toilet paper to wipe yourself
  • Increasing difficulty when you try to urinate
  • Loss of sensation when you pass urine
  • Leaking urine or recent need to use pads
  • Not knowing when your bladder is eithe empty or full
  • Inability to stop bowel movement or leaking
  • Loss of sensation when you pass a bowel motion
  • Change in ability to achieve an erection or ejaculate
  • Loss of sensation in genitals during sexual intercourse

If you require the warning sign information in a different language, please click here.

Additional information:

Please see below for some useful links relating to Cauda Equina Syndrome:

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The content on this page was developed as a joint project with the NHS Dynamic Health, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Lancashire and Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.