Bilateral Sensory Loss, Back Pain, and Urinary Retention Without Neural Compression After Meniscus Repair: A Case Report

This presented case report is about a rare neurological complication following right meniscus repair under general anaesthesia. A female in her late 40s with ASA II status underwent an uneventful procedure but developed severe lower back pain, bilateral lower limb sensory deficits and urinary retention postoperatively. She was investigated for cauda equina syndrome. The MRI showed no structural abnormalities or neural compression, indicating the same. The differentials were 1) transient spinal cord ischemia, 2) anaesthetic neurotoxicity, 3) structural abnormalities, 4) inflammatory response, and 5) hypothermia-related injury. No cause for the above differentials was established. This case presents the need for close neurological monitoring in patients following general anaesthesia. Surgeons and anaesthesiologists should know about such rare complications to ensure early intervention and improve patient recovery.