tabes dorsalis A tertiary neurosyphilis that results in slow degeneration of the nerve cells and nerve fibers that carry sensory information to the brain. The infection has symptom intense, stabbing pain in the back and legs that recurs irregularly, has symptom gait ataxia, has symptom hyperesthesia, has symptom paresthesia, has symptom loss of bladder sensation leading to urine retention, has symptom erectile dysfunction. tertiary neurosyphilis