How Did You Develop Cauda Equina Syndrome?

During the course of having my L5S1 level fused (TLIF - Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) due to spondylolisthesis, my cauda equina nerves ended up getting irreparably injured.  My surgeon never told me or my husband that a problem had occurred during surgery and despite clear signs that something was wrong with me, he would never acknowledge my true condition (he just kept telling us to give it time and the nerves would "settle down").  It's been a little over 4 1/2 years since my surgery and my condition keeps slowly getting worse.  Immediately following surgery, it was clear that my bladder and bowels were not working properly.  Since the surgery, I've had at least 20 UTIs -- and often, they end up not responding to the first prescribed antibiotic.  Right after the surgery, I noticed that I was having trouble walking -- it was kind of a shuffle -- but I could walk and didn't even require a cane for the first two years.  But slowly, my legs have grown weaker and I now use a walker to get around everywhere including in my home. I can't even stand up straight anymore.  I think the worst effect of my CES (after not being able to walk and stand normally) is the weird sensation of feeling like my feet are tightly wrapped with an ACE bandage.... 24/7.  It never goes away.  Also - - the numbness in my butt and feet and along the sides of my calves is a constant thing.  Ok -- sorry for going on about this but I'm still mad about my experience.