A&E Missed My Cauda Equina Syndrome

If you attend your GP or A&E unit with advanced symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, it may be too late for surgery to bring about much recovery of function. If your symptoms are at an earlier stage, however, a failure to make an emergency referral can lead to a compensation claim.

Spotting the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome

Attending A&E with symptoms of cauda equina syndrome can be a medical emergency.

If you attend the hospital with some or all of the following symptoms, you may be developing cauda equina syndrome and may need emergency surgery:

• Leg pain and tingling or numbness in one or both legs
• Unusual symptoms when urinating such as poor flow, difficulty emptying the bladder
• Loss of sensation in the saddle area between the legs and around the anus
• Difficulty with ankle reflexes

If you are experiencing these symptoms but still have some control of your bladder and some sensation of needing to urinate, you may require an emergency MRI scan in order to confirm the cause of your symptoms.

You may be developing cauda equina syndrome and a delay in carrying out surgery may allow the compression of your cauda equina nerves to increase to the point where you are less likely to recover any of your lost function.

The impact of delay

If your symptoms are not recognised and surgery is delayed due to a lack of diagnosis, there is a possibility that your condition will deteriorate.

If you develop complete cauda equina syndrome, surgery may bring about little improvement and you may be left doubly incontinent, sexually dysfunctional and with mobility problems.

Compensation for delay

If you have deteriorated from incomplete to complete cauda equina syndrome due to a delay in diagnosing your symptoms, you may wish to consider making a claim for compensation.

If a patient alerts the medical profession to their red flag symptoms and their condition could have been treated more promptly, the relevant medical professionals may be considered to have been negligent in their care.

Speak to a solicitor

If you or a loved one are suffering with the shocking, long-term effects of cauda equina syndrome due to a delay by medical professional in responding to your symptoms, contact us to discuss your experience with a medical negligence solicitor.

We have supported numerous successful claims for cauda equina syndrome delay and would be very 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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