Bladder and associated urinary symptoms are red flag indicators that a patient may be developing cauda equina syndrome. They should indicate the degree of urgency for an MRI scan as well as the urgency of surgery once a diagnosis has been confirmed.
Bladder retention
For the patient developing cauda equina syndrome, it is not a good sign if they are experiencing painless retention of urine. This means that their bladder is becoming full without them realising and without them, therefore, feeling the need to urinate. Sometimes, it means that the patient then wets themselves because the bladder has become full and, although the person is unaware of the need, the body releases the urine. They have effectively become incontinent of urine at this point and may have developed complete cauda equina syndrome.
Surgery at this point is probably still necessary but it would seem that it is less likely to restore any lower body function that has already been lost than had surgery occurred at an earlier point.
Early bladder symptoms
Ideally, therefore, cauda equina syndrome is diagnosed before the patient becomes incontinent of urine.
Bladder and urinary symptoms that might indicate that the cauda equina nerves are being compressed include the following:
- Poor or altered urinary flow
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Having to strain to urinate
- Loss of awareness of need to urinate
If a patient attends their GP or A&E unit with the above symptoms alongside pain in the lower back and the legs, it is crucial that tests are carried out regarding their degree of sensation in the saddle area. It may be necessary to refer them for an emergency MRI scan to ascertain the cause of the symptoms.
Medical negligence
A failure to heed and act on these symptoms may allow the patient’s condition to deteriorate.
The patient may become incontinent of urine and lose all sensation in the saddle area, meaning that they could also lose all sexual sensation and function as well as becoming incontinent of wind and faeces.
If surgery is delayed, the patient may face a lifetime with these appalling and life-changing symptoms.
If the patient developed such symptoms suddenly, there may have been nothing the medical profession could have done but if the opportunity was there to spot their cauda equina syndrome at an earlier point, the relevant medical practitioners may be considered to have acted negligently.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are suffering with the permanent symptoms of cauda equina syndrome due to a failure on the part of your medical professionals to recognise your symptoms, call us to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.