A spinal cord hemangioma is a tangle of extra blood vessels tucked inside the bone or right next to the spinal cord. Most of these growths sit quietly for years, but when they swell or bleed they squeeze the cord and send out clear warnings.

The first warning is a deep back ache that never quite goes away. People call it “a toothache in the spine” because it throbs at night and eases when they curl forward or hug a pillow. The spot is easy to find—press on the bone and the pain jumps.

Next, the legs start to feel “far away.” A morning walker may notice her shoelaces drag, or a dad feels he is walking on stilts. Weakness can come on in minutes if the hemangioma bleeds, or over months if it slowly expands.

Pins-and-needles show up in stripes. One common story is a “corset” of tightness around the ribs that moves down to the belly button, then disappears for days. Others feel hot coins taped to the shins or ice cubes between the toes.

Bladder hiccups slip in early. You may pee every hour yet still feel full, or wake twice a night when you used to sleep through. Because these changes feel small, many blame coffee or aging until the legs also falter.

Bowel quirks ride along. Sudden cramps followed by loose stools, or skipping three days then leaking gas, hint the nerves that time the gut are irritated. Patients pack spare underwear long before they hear the word “hemangioma.”

Later, a gentle bump or heavy grocery bag can trigger a flare. The back pain spikes, the legs wobble, and the electric tingling races downward. Rest and bending forward often cool things off within hours.