Whether you are experiencing saddle anaesthesia or paraesthesia could be an indicator of how well you are likely to recover if you are developing cauda equina syndrome. What are saddle anaesthesia and paraesthesia? The saddle area refers to those areas of the body which would normally come into contact with the saddle. This would include … Read more
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 … Read more
Cauda equina syndrome can cause a variety of neurological problems in the lower body which can become lifelong if the condition is not treated as a matter of emergency. What is neurological dysfunction? Neurological dysfunction is when a part of the body reduces function or ceases to function not because there is a physical weakness … Read more
Compensation claims related to cauda equina syndrome inevitably relate to the timing of decompression surgery or a delay in diagnosis which might have led to late surgery. Why does this matter? Why is surgery necessary in cauda equina syndrome? Cauda equina syndrome is caused by compression of the cauda equina nerves at the base of … Read more
If you attend your GP or A&E unit with advanced symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, it may be too late for surgery to bring about much recovery of function. If your symptoms are at an earlier stage, however, a failure to make an emergency referral can lead to a compensation claim. Spotting the symptoms of … Read more
The cauda equina are a group of nerves fundamental to the effective functioning of the human body. Loss of cauda equina function can lead to disability and distress. What are the cauda equina nerves? The cauda equina nerves are located at the base of the spine in the lumbar region. Their function is to convey … Read more
If you are suffering with permanent cauda equina syndrome due to negligence on the part of the medical professionals who should have responded more promptly to your symptoms, you may wish to consider making a claim for compensation. Complete cauda equina syndrome It may be that you were unfortunate enough to develop cauda equina syndrome … Read more
The misinterpretation or misdiagnosis of symptoms of cauda equina syndrome can lead to a lifetime of disability for the patient. It can also lead to a significant claim for compensation for the long-term effects. Recognising the signs of cauda equina syndrome When a patient visits their GP with the possible early symptoms of cauda equina … Read more
The symptoms of cauda equina syndrome are caused by the compression of nerves at the base of the spine and recovery appears to depend largely on how much damage has been caused to those nerves at the time the patient undergoes surgery. Early symptoms A patient who is in the early stages of cauda equina … Read more
Failing to recognise the significance of bilateral leg pain can mean the patient develops complete cauda equina syndrome with all the appalling associated long-term problems. Leg symptoms Pain in one leg with accompanying tingling, weakness or numbness could be sciatica. If this is the case, your pain could travel all the way from the buttocks … Read more
MRI failings are a consistent feature of cauda equina syndrome compensation claims. An urgent MRI scan The vast majority of our cauda equina syndrome clients have been left with permanent disability and dysfunction because the diagnosis of their condition was delayed due to a failure to make an emergency referral for an MRI scan. This … Read more
It is not uncommon for cauda equina syndrome to be mistaken for sciatica in its early stages. GPs need to be aware that the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms may have a far more sinister diagnosis. Confusing sciatica and cauda equina syndrome Early symptoms of cauda equina syndrome can appear to be similar to … Read more
Cauda equina syndrome can leave its victim with a variety of debilitating long-term disabilities. Sexual dysfunction is one of the most distressing. What is cauda equina syndrome? Cauda equina syndrome is a neurological condition of the lower body. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, it can cause the following permanent symptoms: Urinary incontinence Faecal incontinence … Read more
The timing of surgery is crucial in cauda equina syndrome. Therefore, the speed of diagnosis is equally a matter of emergency. A failure in either aspect can prompt a claim for compensation. The importance of decompression surgery In a patient who is developing cauda equina syndrome, surgical decompression is a matter of emergency in order … Read more
If your cauda equina syndrome was not diagnosed in time, it is likely that you are experiencing problems with urinating. Urinary problems with cauda equina syndrome Cauda equina syndrome can affect the sufferer in a number of ways but most people will experience some degree of difficulty with their urinary function. This can be to … Read more
Cauda equina syndrome is frequently diagnosed too late to be able to provide the patient with a good recovery. This can be the cause of a significant compensation claim. What should a GP really be looking out for? Early diagnosis problems Early symptoms of cauda equina syndrome can be confused with other conditions and, since … Read more
Your GP is likely to be the first person you see if you are developing the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome. It is vital that the correct action is taken to prevent a lifetime of disability. If a patient attends the GP with the possible early symptoms of cauda equina syndrome such as lower back … Read more
‘Foot drop’ may be a sign that urgent action is required in order to prevent the patient from suffering long-term disabling symptoms. What is ‘foot drop’? If a patient is unable to flex the muscles that control the movement of the foot, therefore being unable to hold the foot upright, they may develop ‘foot drop’. … Read more
A slipped disc can cause cauda equina syndrome which requires emergency surgery to avoid a lifetime of lower body dysfunction. A slipped disc A slipped, or herniated, disc is where one of the discs which act as cushions between the spine’s vertebrae bulges out. This is caused by the central part of the disc pushing … Read more
When we attend hospital, we hope for a timely diagnosis and resolution of our problems. When this doesn’t happen, some patients can be left with lifelong disability as a result. Timing in cauda equina syndrome If a patient’s symptoms are deteriorating, cauda equina syndrome can be a medical emergency. It is vital that the patient … Read more