Attending hospital with symptoms of cauda equina syndrome may mean that you need an emergency MRI followed by emergency treatment. If your symptoms are not acted upon in a timely manner, it may be appropriate to consider making a claim for compensation.
Delays and outcomes
Delays in diagnosing and treating cauda equina syndrome can produce catastrophic outcomes for the patient. It can mean the difference between a good recovery of lower body function and no recovery at all. When delays allow the patient’s condition to deteriorate, they may find that, even with surgery, they are left incontinent and disabled.
Two aspects of the medical response are vital in ensuring a successful outcome for the patient and a failure in either regard can lead to a compensation claim.
- A delay in undertaking an MRI scan. To confirm a diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome before surgery it is necessary for the patient to undergo an MRI scan where compression of the cauda equina nerves should be evident. Without this examination, it cannot be certain that the patient’s symptoms have a neurological cause and surgery could, therefore, be delayed. If cauda equina syndrome is suspected, therefore, and the execution of a scan is delayed resulting in a worse outcome for the patient, it may be possible to make a compensation claim.
- Delayed surgery. If a diagnosis of cauda equina compression is confirmed and the patient still retains some control of their bladder, emergency surgery is usually thought to be necessary. Where this does not occur, the patient’s long-term prognosis may be compromised and the relevant medical professionals may be considered to have acted negligently in delaying surgery.
Incomplete cauda equina syndrome symptoms
Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include pain and tingling in one or both legs; lower back pain; loss of sensation in the saddle area and around the anus, and difficulties with bladder and bowel function.
The key symptom when considering the urgency of surgery is thought to be the functioning of the bladder.
Where the patient may be experiencing some alteration of bladder function but still retains some control of the bladder, surgery is likely to produce the best outcome. If delays mean that the patient loses sensation in their bladder, surgery may be less successful.
Medical negligence
If you or a loved one are suffering the appalling long-term effects of cauda equina syndrome because of delays in hospital, speak to a solicitor about the possibility of making a claim for compensation.