GP Missed My Cauda Equina Syndrome

If a patient developing cauda equina syndrome visits their GP, the medical professional needs to consider both signs and symptoms of this condition in order to decide on the right course of action.

Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome

A GP should initially be alerted to the possibility of cauda equina syndrome by the patient’s symptoms. These could be some or all of the following:

• Lower back pain
• Pain in one or both legs
• Pain, tingling or numbness in one or both legs
• Alteration in urinary experience such as straining to empty the bladder or losing awareness of needing to wee
• Change in sexual function
• Tingling or numbness between the legs and buttocks
• Change in bowel function

Testing for cauda equina syndrome

Having noted the patient’s description of their symptoms, there are tests that the GP can carry out to further assess the extent of the patient’s problems and the likelihood that this is due to neurological causes rather than physical.

It is possible that the patient may not be fully aware of all their symptoms and a thorough examination can help to clarify their position.

Pin Prick Test

A pin prick test should ascertain the degree of sensation which the patient can experience in the saddle region. A loss of sensation may suggest that the problem is caused by dysfunction of the nerves such as cauda equina syndrome.

Straight Leg Raising

Asking the patient to raise one leg at a time and monitoring the point at which they experience pain can help to identify the location of their underlying problem.

Anal Squeeze

The GP can use a digital, rectal examination to assess for any loss of anal tone which might suggest a problem with the cauda equina nerves if the patient has lost the ability to contract their anal muscles.

Ankle Reflexes

Cauda equina syndrome can lead to loss of control of ankle reflexes meaning that the patient may begin to drag their feet. Testing the patient’s ankle reflexes can help to assess whether this problem is developing.

The urgency of diagnosis

A recognition that the patient may be developing cauda equina syndrome is vital to the successful management of the condition. Where symptoms of the condition are present, the patient requires an emergency MRI and possible emergency surgery.

A failure to recognise symptoms can allow the condition to deteriorate prior to surgery. The patient is then likely to suffer a significantly worse outcome.

Medical Negligence

An emergency referral for an MRI scan is of such importance with cauda equina syndrome that a failure on the part of the GP to organise this can be regarded as a significant failure of care.

If you are suffering from the shocking, long-term symptoms of cauda equina syndrome due to a failure to diagnose, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Contact us to discuss your situation. We are specialists in medical negligence law and would be happy to advise you.

Please call us free on 0800 234 3300, from a mobile click to call 01275 334030 or complete our Free Online Enquiry for a no cost, no obligation opinion.

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