Can Cauda Equina Syndrome Be Cured?

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) can only be cured if it is treated shortly after the onset of symptoms, before the nerves become irreparably harmed.

Cauda equina syndrome happens when the nerves at the base of the spine are compressed by something such as a slipped disc or spinal tumour. This compression will damage the nerves, resulting in a loss of function.

When the nerves are compressed and injured, the individual in question will begin to develop physical problems, indicating the loss of nerve function. Cauda equina syndrome begins as soon as symptoms arise due to cauda equina compression.

Can CES be cured?

The cauda equina nerves are extremely delicate, so it will not take long for them to suffer irreparable harm. Often in cases of acute cauda equina syndrome it takes between 24 to 48 hours for permanent neurological damage to occur.

If treatment is provided before the nerves are irreparably damaged, it is possible to cure cauda equina syndrome. It is vital that decompression surgery is performed while the condition is still incomplete, meaning a patient still has some bladder control. Only then can a patient hope to recover normal (or nearly normal) function.

When the condition is complete, a patient will have lost control and sensation in the bladder, resulting in painless urinary incontinence. By this stage it is too late to treat cauda equina syndrome and it cannot be cured. Consequently a patient will be left with long-term neurological complaints.

Failure to treat cauda equina syndrome

If a patient is told that their cauda equina syndrome cannot be cured, questions must be raised as to why this has happened.

For some patients it will be that they first presented to their GP or hospital with complete cauda equina syndrome. In such cases, medical practitioners cannot be blamed for failing to treat the condition while it was still incomplete.

For others, however, it will be that they first presented to their GP or hospital with incomplete cauda equina syndrome, but the condition was not diagnosed and treated. Some patients will seek medical help repeatedly, only to be discharged with a misdiagnosis.

If there is a delay in treatment because doctors failed to make a swift diagnosis and/or failed to provide prompt decompression surgery, the standard of medical care will be deemed unacceptable. If this causes a patient to suffer incurable cauda equina syndrome, there will be grounds for a medical negligence claim.

Please contact us for more information about claiming compensation for cauda equina syndrome.

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