This patient of ours was suffering from cauda equina syndrome (CES), a rare but serious condition of the spine. If left untreated, the suddenly compressed nerve root can result in permanent paralysis and incontinence. The goal is to free up the root. After emergency surgery to decompress his back, we started on his rehab journey. Now, some six weeks in, we’re back to deadlifting and building strength. A keen gym-goer, the thought of performing any exercise, let alone a compound move, was somethi