When a patient visits their GP with pain and tingling in the lower back and legs, it is possible that they have sciatica. It is also possible, however, that they are developing cauda equina syndrome. When a GP is confronted with a patient with the above symptoms, it is crucial that the medical professional checks … Read more
Almost all compensation claims relating to Cauda Equina Syndrome concern a delay in undertaking decompression surgery. The reason for this is that a delay can leave the patient with permanent catastrophic injuries whereas timely surgery can bring about a recovery of function. Decompression surgery timing There continues to be debate about the optimum timing of … Read more
Foot drop can sometimes be a sign of cauda equina syndrome and may warrant an emergency MRI referral. What is foot drop? Foot drop is a condition where the patient’s foot loses its ability to flex properly and therefore droops down in comparison to the normal foot. Due to weakness in the muscles which cause … Read more
Loss of sensation in the buttocks may indicate that you are developing a life-changing condition and require emergency medical attention. Saddle anaesthesia If you have noticed that you do not seem to have much sensation when going to the toilet, it’s possible that you are developing cauda equina syndrome. Some people realise that they cannot … Read more
Difficulties with urinating and urinary incontinence are major red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome and a failure to spot this may be regarded as a significant failing in medical care. The urgency of diagnosis in cauda equina syndrome Once a patient starts to experience urinary symptoms in cauda equina syndrome, their care becomes a … Read more
A failure to understand the possible severity of cauda equina syndrome can leave the patient with a lifetime of disability. Such a scenario may justify a claim for compensation. Understanding cauda equina syndrome Cauda equina syndrome can develop gradually or over a short space of time. It may exhibit as incomplete cauda equina syndrome or … Read more
Symptoms related to the bladder and/or urination might indicate that the patient is developing cauda equina syndrome and their significance should not be under-estimated. Failing to investigate urinary symptoms Failing to consider and act on the presence of urinary and/or bladder symptoms in a patient with lower back and leg pain, may delay the surgery … Read more
Pelvic numbness, referring to loss of sensation around the pelvic region such as the buttocks and saddle region, may well be a sign that the patient is developing cauda equina syndrome. If these symptoms occur in combination with weakness and pain in the legs, or changes in the patient’s experience of urinating, the patient’s condition … Read more
When a patient attends their GP or A&E unit with possible early symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, the assessment they receive is crucial in determining what happens to them next. The importance of a comprehensive clinical assessment If the initial clinical assessment of a patient is insufficient to gather a comprehensive picture of their condition, … Read more
A delay in organising or undertaking an MRI scan for a patient who may be developing cauda equina syndrome can result in catastrophic long-term symptoms, prompting a medical negligence compensation claim. MRI scans and cauda equina syndrome A patient who presents to their GP or A&E unit with symptoms of possible cauda equina syndrome is … Read more
The long-term prognosis for these two versions of this appalling condition can be dramatically different. Patients who are left with complete cauda equina syndrome may find that they are entitled to make a claim for compensation. A medical emergency? The most significant difference between these two versions of cauda equina syndrome is that a patient … Read more
Incontinence of either bladder or bowel can definitely be a sign that you are developing cauda equina syndrome. An MRI referral may be needed as a matter of emergency. Signs of cauda equina syndrome If you are developing cauda equina syndrome, you are likely to be experiencing lower back and leg pain as well as … Read more
What symptoms should a GP test for and a patient look out for if they may be developing cauda equina syndrome? Lower back symptoms Cauda equina syndrome usually starts with pain in the lower back. This may develop gradually over time or occur suddenly due to a specific trauma or action by the patient. The … Read more
Symptoms of bilateral sciatica may mean that you have a far more serious condition and probably merit an urgent MRI scan. Bilateral sciatica Pain, tingling and weakness in both legs does not necessarily mean that you have cauda equina syndrome. However, it could indicate that you are developing this appalling condition and you probably require … Read more
The appropriate response to symptoms which might indicate cauda equina syndrome depends on the nature and severity of those symptoms. It might be appropriate simply to advise the patient of the red flag symptoms to look out for or an emergency referral to hospital might be necessary. Pain symptoms If the patient attends the GP … Read more
Updated NICE guidelines on cauda equina syndrome should ensure more prompt referrals for medical investigation and a quicker route to surgery for this shocking condition. The urgency of a cauda equina syndrome diagnosis Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency. A patient who is developing this appalling condition ideally needs to undergo surgery before the … Read more
Complete cauda equina syndrome can leave the patient with permanent bowel and bladder dysfunction. Both the physical and psychological impact of these problems can be utterly life-changing and extremely distressing. The nature of CES bladder problems A patient with complete cauda equina syndrome may well have lost both sensation and function of the bladder. This … Read more
What are the ‘red flag’ symptoms of cauda equina syndrome and why does the patient need to be warned to look out for them? Before we cover red flag symptoms in detail, here are some other articles to help you if you or a relative are suffering from Cauda Equina: What is Cauda Equina Syndrome, … Read more
When is it appropriate to make a compensation claim for cauda equina syndrome? When compensation may not be appropriate Developing complete cauda equina syndrome does not necessarily mean that you are entitled to make a claim for compensation. It is quite possible that no negligence has occurred and you have simply been extremely unfortunate. If … Read more
Changes in sexual sensation may be a sign that you are developing cauda equina syndrome. If this sign is not investigated by your medical practitioner, you may wish to consider making a claim for compensation. Sexual sensation and cauda equina syndrome One of the possible permanent symptoms of cauda equina syndrome is the loss of … Read more