Treatment usually involves surgery for decompression of the nerves. This involves an operation to open up the space surrounding the nerves and relieve pressure. Timing of surgery is crucial. The sooner the surgery is done the better the outcome.

Sometimes however, irreversible damage has already been sustained and in such cases, any delay in surgery will not make a difference. Without treatment CES can leave the patient with a range of severe permanent disabilities.

It can cause lasting pain in the lower back, pain in the legs, pain in the buttocks and between the legs. It can also cause bladder and bowel incontinence and sexual dysfunction. This can be severely detrimental to a patient’s quality of life.