The cauda equina is the very end of the entire spinal cord, and the spinal cord is the central nerve of the body. Although the cauda equina is part of the spinal cord, the structure of the cauda equina is already identical to the structure of the peripheral nerves in the limbs, so that general cauda equina injuries can be recovered. However, depending on the extent of the injury, if the injury is too severe and requires surgical treatment, the function of the nerve may only be partially restored. It is also possible to fully recover from a severe cauda equina injury if the treatment is done properly. The disease that most often causes cauda equina injury is lumbar disc herniation, where the lumbar disc protrudes outside the vertebral body and causes compression of the surrounding soft tissues, including the cauda equina, and compression of the cauda equina for too long and the degree of protrusion is too great. The mildest cauda equina injury can be repaired with reasonable and effective treatment. If the damage to the cauda equina is caused by a fracture of the lumbar sacral spine, the nerve can usually be restored as long as it does not require surgical treatment.