Cauda equina syndrome
Musculoskeletal (non-trauma) · MuC1
This topic appears in the RCEM clinical syllabus. Start with a relevant resource below, then use a case or practice activity to test what you have learned.
View this area in the official clinical syllabus
Discuss
Back pain: recognising the dangerous exception
Discuss spinal and vascular causes of back pain, the limits of examination and advice for uncomplicated pain.
Assessing acute back pain
Distinguish an urgent neurological or vascular concern from uncomplicated back pain and give a useful recovery plan.
Practise
One learner performs. One checks the key steps and gives feedback. Then swap roles. These are practice tools, not official RCEM mark schemes.
Lower limb neurological examination
Practise lower-limb neurological examination. This card cannot exclude cauda equina syndrome or replace the urgent assessment described in the lesson.
Lower limb neurology
Practise lower-limb neurological examination. This card cannot exclude cauda equina syndrome or replace the urgent assessment described in the lesson.
Teaching programmes
Early-career Emergency Medicine
1 relevant session in this programme.
Medical Student Emergency Medicine Placement
1 relevant session in this programme.
Apply it in practice
Choose one thing to try on your next suitable shift, within your role and level of supervision. Discuss what happened and what you would change.
More mapped resources
No additional published posts are currently linked by an unambiguous existing tag.