- Responses of physiotherapists to the cauda equina syndrome statements.
| Statements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Yes n (%) | No n (%) | |
| Do you use toolkit/guidelines for early identification of cauda equina syndrome? | 102 (25.4) | 299 (74.6) |
| Agree n (%) | Disagree n (%) | |
| Full neurological examinations that include sensation when a patient has lower back pain is not important. (Reversed statement) | 88 (21.9) | 313 (78.1) |
| Cauda equina syndrome does not have a ‘progression pattern’. (Reversed statement) | 69 (17.2) | 332 (82.8) |
| Suspected cauda equina syndrome stage is when the patient has urinary difficulties of neurogenic origin. | 354 (88.3) | 47 (11.7) |
| Yes n (%) | No n (%) | |
| Do you suspect cauda equina syndrome when patients describe their pain by radicular pain of one side or both sides (Ipsilateral radiculopathy or Bilateral radiculopathy)? a | 343 (85.5) | 58 (14.5) |
| Do you ask your patient when they have bilateral radiculopathy about any bowel/bladder dysfunctions in detail? | 226 (56.4) | 175 (43.6) |
| Do you give your patient with suspected cauda equina syndrome warning signs card (‘Safety Netting Card’)? | 179 (44.6) | 222 (55.4) |
| Do you warn and explain to the patient with suspected cauda equina syndrome the red flags symptoms? | 289 (72.1) | 112 (27.9) |
| Do you document the patient’s signs and symptoms of cauda equina syndrome including duration, frequency and progression and the time and date of every contact immediately? | 289 (72.1) | 112 (27.9) |
| Agree n (%) | Disagree n (%) | |
| Communication and simple language are not important with patients with suspected cauda equina syndrome and could not be vital information from patients regarding early cauda equina syndrome symptoms. (Reversed statement) | 149 (37.2) | 252 (62.8) |
| Correct n (%) | Incorrect n (%) | |
| What is the appropriate management of patients with suspected cauda equina syndrome? b | 146 (36.4) | 255 (63.6) |
| Agree n (%) | Disagree n (%) | |
| The MRI request should state the extreme urgency of investigation and evaluation (or re-evaluation) of the patient with suspected cauda equina syndrome. | 353 (88.0) | 48 (12.0) |