Cauda Equina Syndrome in a Pregnant Woman Referred to Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain

Shaun J. O'Laughlin, Eileen Kokosinski

DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2008.0411

The patient was a 38-year-old female at 34 weeks' gestation, with a 3-week history of low back pain of insidious onset. Her physician referred her to physical therapy on the assumption that her pain was typical of normal pregnancy. However, the patient's significantly worsening condition prompted the physical therapist to contact the physician who ordered lumbar magnetic resonance imaging. MRI results led to a diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome, secondary to central spinal canal stenosis from a posterocentral disc extrusion at L4-5. The patient underwent an immediate surgical discectomy at L4-5.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008; 38(11):721. doi:10.2519/jospt.2008.0411

KEY WORDS: low back pain, magnetic resonance imaging, pregnancy

The patient was a 38-year-old female at 34 weeks' gestation, with a 3-week history of low back pain of insidious onset. The patient's significantly worsening condition prompted the physical therapist to contact the physician who ordered lumbar magnetic resonance imaging. MRI results led to a diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome.

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