The severity of cauda equina damage can be determined by clinical manifestations, physical examination and imaging examination.
1. Clinical manifestations: Damage to the cauda equina includes complete damage and incomplete damage. Complete damage manifests as dysfunction of urination and defecation, dysfunction of knee, ankle and foot, etc. Incomplete damage manifests as numbness and burning sensation in the perineal area and anus. Incomplete damage manifests as numbness and burning sensation in perineal area and anus, which may be accompanied by radiating pain and numbness in lower limbs.
2. Physical examination: in complete cauda equina injury, there is loss of pain, temperature and tactile sensation below the injury plane, flaccid paralysis and disappearance of tendon reflex. Incomplete cauda equina injury, the uninjured cauda equina can still play its sensory and motor functions normally.
3. Imaging examination: under the guidance of the doctor, lumbar spine X-ray examination, CT and magnetic resonance imaging examination can be used to directly diagnose the severity of cauda equina damage in conjunction with the clinic.
Patients with cauda equina damage should go to regular hospitals in time to improve the relevant examination and give targeted treatment under the guidance of professional doctors.