Although cauda equina syndrome is not a fatal condition, it can cause severe neurological damage. If the condition is not treated quickly enough, this damage may be irreversible, meaning a patient will not make a full recovery.
How to make a full recovery from cauda equina syndrome
The only way to ensure a recovery after cauda equina syndrome is to have emergency decompression surgery.
Cauda equina syndrome sees the nerves at the base of the spine become compressed and damaged. It is only a matter of time before the compression causes the nerves irreparable harm. Therefore decompression surgery must be performed as early as possible, before serious damage occurs.
If the nerves are successfully decompressed before the nerves sustain extensive damage, a patient will be able to make a recovery. There may be some residual symptoms in the years after the operation, and other treatment such as physiotherapy may be required. However, it is possible for a patient to regain normal, or nearly normal, function.
Delayed cauda equina syndrome surgery
But if surgery is not conducted quickly enough, the nerves will become so injured that treatment will be ineffective. Surgery should still be carried out, but this may have little impact upon the patient’s long-term prognosis.
For the two years after the procedure there may be some improvement in the patient’s symptoms. After two years the symptoms will reach a state of permanency. The patient will then face a lifetime of neurological dysfunction. This can seriously impact the quality of their life, with problems including:
- Urinary incontinence, with the need to wear a full-time catheter bag or use intermittent self-catheterisation, along with the leakage of urine and the use of absorbent pads.
- Loss of bladder sensation, with no sensation of the bladder being full and no sensation when passing urine.
- Loss of bladder control, with numbness around the anus, incontinence of wind and faeces, constipation and the need to self-evacuate.
- Pain, with constant lower back pain which can radiate down through the leg(s).
- Difficulty walking, with the need to use a walking aid and the inability to walk long distances.
- Foot drop, which cause the foot to drag along the ground when walking.
- Loss of sexual sensation in the genitals and the inability to orgasm.
- Working can become difficult due to incontinence and social issues.
- Anxiety and reluctance to socialise due to symptoms described above.
- Difficulty maintaining a relationship due to sexual dysfunction.
- Difficulty performing daily activities such as housework, driving and carrying a shopping bag.
- Difficulty resuming hobbies and other sport/leisure activities.
What can you do?
If you have suffered permanent injuries because doctors did not treat your cauda equina syndrome in time, please contact us today. You could be entitled to claim compensation for the terrible damage you have incurred.