Nicholas Brendon was open with fans about his health before his untimely death at 54.
The actor, best known for playing the lovable and wisecracking Xander Harris on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” died in his sleep from “natural causes,” his family revealed in an Instagram post Friday.
“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon,” they said in a statement first shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
“While it’s no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing.”
Brendon had previously revealed he suffered a heart attack in 2023 and was later diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
He’d also been open about issues with substance abuse and mental health, which at times led to legal troubles.
On top of that, Brendon battled cauda equina syndrome, a medical emergency that required multiple surgeries and left lasting complications.
Here’s everything you need to know about the rare spinal condition.
What is cauda equina syndrome?
It’s a medical emergency that affects the bundle of nerves at the base of your spine, called the cauda equina. These nerves control bowel and bladder functions as well as movement and sensation in the legs and feet, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The problem arises when something presses on these nerves, blocking signals to the rest of the body. That can trigger a range of symptoms — and if it’s not treated quickly, it can cause permanent damage, including paralysis.
How common is it?
Cauda equina syndrome is rare. Experts estimate it affects 1.5 to 3.4 million people around the world each year, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
In the US, roughly 1,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.
What causes cauda equina syndrome?
The most common culprit is a herniated disc in the lower back, which causes the condition in about 3% of cases.
When a disc ruptures, its inner gel can push into the spinal canal, crowding all the nearby nerves at once — including the cauda equina.
Other triggers include back injuries, birth defects, infections, tumors, spinal lesions, or a narrowing of the spinal canal. Complications from back surgery can also set off the condition.
In Brendon’s case, the spinal injury was caused by a fall he suffered in 2021, his manager, Theresa Fortier, previously told the Los Angeles Times.
What are the symptoms?
Cauda equina syndrome symptoms can start subtly and vary in intensity, but certain signs mean you should head to the emergency room.
That includes a sudden loss of control of your bladder or bowels, according to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Changes in sensation — such as numbness or tingling between the legs, over the buttocks, inner thighs, backs of the legs, feet or heels — also warrant medical attention.
Pain, weakness, or burning, prickling or tingling in one or both legs is another warning sign. Sexual dysfunction can also be a red flag.
How is cauda equina syndrome treated?
Once diagnosed—typically through physical and neurological exams and imaging—cauda equina syndrome must be treated quickly to avoid permanent damage, ideally within 24 to 48 hours of symptom onset.
Treatment usually involves emergency surgery to relieve pressure on the affected nerves so they can heal.
After surgery, doctors may give medications to improve bladder or bowel control and suggest physical or occupational therapy to help patients regain strength and daily function.
Following his fall, Brendon was rushed into emergency surgery. He returned to the OR in October 2021 for a second spinal procedure, which resulted in a spinal fluid leak that later contributed to cardiac problems.
What are the potential complications?
If left untreated, or if treatment is delayed, cauda equina syndrome can cause permanent nerve damage.
That may lead to lasting problems such as sexual dysfunction, loss of bladder or bowel control, and paralysis in the legs.
While the condition itself usually doesn’t shorten life expectancy, its complications can severely affect quality of life and indirectly impact overall health.
