Delayed Decompression of Cauda Equina Syndrome

A delay in surgery can be catastrophic in treating cauda equina syndrome. If your medical professionals have failed in their duty to provide a good standard of care, you may wish to consider making a claim for compensation.

Timing of surgery

Incomplete cauda equina syndrome requires emergency surgery. The specifics of timing remain under debate and perfect timing may vary from patient to patient, but surgery within hours rather than days is thought to be desirable. Some studies have suggested 24 hours or 48 hours as the periods within which a more positive long-term outcome for the patient could be expected.

If surgery to decompress the cauda equina nerves of a patient with incomplete cauda equina syndrome is delayed, the possibility arises that the patient’s symptoms will deteriorate. The compression of the nerves could increase and, consequently, the degree of dysfunction which the patient is experiencing may also increase. The chances of a good recovery are then likely to be diminished as the extent of function loss at the time of surgery will be greater.

Loss of function

The nature of the loss of function at the time of surgery also appears to be significant. If the patient continues to retain some bladder sensation at the time of surgery, it would seem that they can anticipate a better outcome than had they lost all bladder sensation by the time of surgery.

Medical negligence

Therefore, if the loss of that sensation occurs after diagnosis of the patient and is due to a delay in treatment, the relevant medical professionals may be considered to have been negligent.

Equally, if the patient attends their GP or A&E unit with the early symptoms of cauda equina syndrome but does not receive an emergency referral for an MRI scan and subsequently loses their bladder sensation and achieve a poor long-term outcome as a result, it may be thought that they have received substandard care. The opportunity to diagnose and treat had been available to the medical service but had been missed and the patient suffered as a result.

Complete cauda equina syndrome

If the patient is already suffering with complete cauda equina syndrome at the point they attend their GP or A&E unit, then timing of surgery appears to be less significant and is less likely to influence the outcome. The damage to the nerves may be less likely to recover at this point and decompression may be considered to be less of an emergency.

Making a compensation claim

If you or a loved one are suffering with the appalling long-term symptoms of cauda equina syndrome due to a delay in your diagnosis or treatment, contact us now. We are a team of medical negligence solicitors, specialising in cauda equina syndrome, and would be happy to advise you.

Please call us free on 0800 234 3300, from a mobile click to call 01275 334030 or complete our Free Online Enquiry for a no cost, no obligation opinion.

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