Abstract
The cauda equine syndrome is a rare but serious condition that affects multiple roots of the caudal part of the spinal cord; the discopatia is known as the most frequent reason. However, the traumatic reason remains with many questions. Reported here is the case of a 31-year-old woman who after fall of height developed a vertebral fracture of L2 without motor deficit initially, but a week after an inadequate transport, she presents paraplegia plus bladder dysfunction. The magnetic resonance showed a burst of the vertebra L2 with fragment inside fundamental channel. Patient receives treatment corticoide up to the moment of the surgery, a laminectomy decompressive plus transpedicular fixation with eight screws was performed. The patient later presents progressive recovery of the neurological functions; lucky to 4 months, patient presents a total recovery with deambulation without limitation. A discussion of the case is realized by the existing bibliography to clarify concepts about definition, importance of right diagnosis, imaging findings, timing of the surgery, and outcome for patient with traumatic cauda equine syndrome. In addition, support is done in the immobilization that must continue to an unstable fracture up to the moment of the surgery.