Cauda equina syndrome causes chronic nerve root injury in the lower back. This results in neurological dysfunction in the lower half of the body. If surgery is not performed in time, dysfunction can be permanent.
Chronic nerve root injury
A nerve root is the part of the nerve which branches off from the spinal cord. The nerve roots at the base of the spinal cord are called the cauda equina, which is Latin for ‘horse’s tail’ – so called because together that is what they resemble.
Chronic nerve root injury is when nerve roots, such as the cauda equina, are placed under prolonged pressure. This is exactly what happens in cauda equina syndrome. Namely, the cauda equina nerves become compressed by something and before long the injury is extensive.
Compression can occur in a number of ways, with a slipped (or herniated/prolapsed) disc being one cause. Others include tumours, abscesses, inflammation, infection and crushing injuries.
Preventing chronic nerve root injury
In order to stop the cauda equina nerves sustaining too much damage, surgical decompression must be carried out immediately. Timely surgery therefore depends upon medical practitioners recognising the condition and taking swift action.
If surgical decompression is performed quickly enough, it will limit the extent of nerve damage. It may even be possible for the nerves to recover so that the patient is without symptoms, or at least very few symptoms.
Delay in chronic nerve root injury
But if decompression is not carried out, the nerve root injury will be permanent or ‘chronic’. This will leave the patient with long-lasting neurological dysfunction that cannot fail but change their lives for the worse. For instance, there may be foot drop, extensive numbness, incontinence, sexual dysfunction and constant pain.
Have you been left with cauda equina injuries?
If you have been left with ongoing problems because of chronic nerve root injuries in your cauda equina, please get in touch with us today. It may be that there is a case of medical negligence that needs investigating.
After discussing the details of your care, we will clarify whether you have been the victim of medical negligence. If so, you will be legally entitled to pursue a compensation claim, should you wish to do so.
If you do want to take legal action, our specialist team of cauda equina lawyers will handle your case, working hard to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us for more information.