Cauda Equina Syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome will progress from incomplete to complete. But how long before the condition becomes complete? CES incomplete and CES complete When a patient first gets cauda equina syndrome, their condition is incomplete. You can tell it is incomplete because there will be a degree of bladder control. Most notably, the patient will know … Read more

If cauda equina syndrome is not diagnosed and treated in time, the patient will be left with chronic cauda equina syndrome. This means that their symptoms will be long-lasting. A chronic cauda equina syndrome Cauda equina syndrome must be diagnosed and treated with decompression surgery. This must be achieved within 48 hours of the onset … Read more

Difficulty passing urine is a sign of cauda equina syndrome. However, there will also be other symptoms which together indicate the presence of cauda equina compression. Therefore if you are having trouble passing water, you need to consider whether you also have the other ‘red flag’ symptoms of cauda equina syndrome. If so, you must … Read more

If a patient has the symptoms associated with cauda equina syndrome, a medical practitioner should act immediately. A certain course of events should be initiated, starting with a neurological examination, following with an MRI scan and finally decompression surgery. Signs and symptoms of cauda equina syndrome There is a set of symptoms which together suggest … Read more

Cauda equina syndrome can cause severe physical, financial and emotional consequences if not treated in time. These are explored in more detail below. Physical consequences Pain – ongoing pain may be present in the back and leg(s). There will also be a scar in the back after surgery. This can be as large as 10cm … Read more

Degenerative disc disease can cause cauda equina syndrome. In this article we explore the link between degenerative disc disease and cauda equina syndrome in more detail. Low back pain Low back pain is a very common symptom but can have significant financial implications for those affected, often being associated with reduced productivity and lost wages. … Read more

Abnormal bladder sensation or function is a sign of cauda equina syndrome. If you also have other symptoms associated with cauda equina syndrome, you need to seek immediate medical help. If doctors fail to urgently investigate your symptoms, despite the fact they correspond with a diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome, you could be entitled to … Read more

Medical practitioners must spot the red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome when they arise. This will ensure that a patient receives the urgent treatment that is required. If doctors fail to pick up on the red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, meaning a patient’s treatment is delayed with detrimental effect, there could be … Read more

In this article we explore the difference between back pain, sciatica and cauda equina syndrome. Generalised back pain Back pain is a very common complaint in general practice. It is responsible for 7 to 10% of all consultations in general practice – which would imply a few hundred consultations every year for a full-time GP. … Read more

If there was a delay in decompressing your spinal haematoma, causing you to suffer cauda equina injuries, you could be entitled to pursue a claim for compensation. To talk to a solicitor about claiming compensation for cauda equina syndrome, please get in touch with us today. We are experts in cauda equina claims and will … Read more

If cauda equina syndrome is not quickly treated, the patient will be left with permanently injured cauda equina nerves. Cauda equina injury The cauda equina is a bundle of nerves at the base of the spine. If they are compressed (for instance, by a slipped disc), decompression surgery must be immediately performed. If this is … Read more

Cauda equina syndrome is a neurological condition in which the nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord are compressed. In order to diagnose cauda equina syndrome, doctors will need to carry out a neurological examination. This will reveal whether the patient has the clinical signs that are associated with cauda equina compression. Neurological examination … Read more

If cauda equina syndrome is not diagnosed and treated quickly enough, it can result in all sorts of long-term problems for the patient. These include: Bladder The patient may have to assume an abnormal position in order to void (such as sitting for males or standing for females) and press upon the abdomen. Intermittent self-catheterisation … Read more

If a patient is suspected of having cauda equina syndrome, an emergency MRI scan should be arranged. If there is a failure to detect or treat cauda equina syndrome, there could be grounds for a claim. Detecting cauda equina syndrome An MRI scan will reveal significant degenerative changes at the lower two lumbar levels of … Read more

If a patient is diagnosed with incomplete cauda equina syndrome, immediate lumbar decompression is needed. This is a surgical procedure and is deemed to be an emergency. A delay in performing lumbar decompression surgery can result in very serious complications for the patient. If medical practitioners fail to provide emergency surgery for incomplete cauda equina … Read more

A large centrally prolapsed disc can result in a condition called cauda equina syndrome. This is a serious complication that requires immediate surgical treatment. If medical practitioners fail to diagnose and treat a central disc protrusion in time, the consequences can be life-changing for the patient. If your slipped disc caused cauda equina syndrome but … Read more

To make a compensation claim for cauda equina syndrome, please get in touch with our Bristol solicitors today. We act for clients across England and Wales, and have considerable experience in obtaining justice for victims of substandard cauda equina care. Breach of duty All medical practitioners have to provide their patients with a reasonable standard … Read more

Cauda equina syndrome was first described in 1934 by William Mixter and Joseph Barr. It was described in an English medical journal with the title ‘rupture of the intervertebral disc with the involvement of the spinal cord’. Since then it has become a well-recognised neurological condition. Nevertheless, it remains a rare occurrence, with most GPs … Read more