If you think your cauda equina syndrome was not treated in an acceptable manner, and this has caused you to suffer harm, you need to speak to a solicitor about the care you received.
If a solicitor finds that the medical care you were provided did not meet a reasonable standard, you will be entitled to pursue a medical negligence compensation claim (also known as a clinical negligence claim in the UK).
To talk to a solicitor about cauda equina syndrome, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today. We specialise in these claims and can help you further.
Reasonable treatment for cauda equina syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is a rare condition, but it is one that any reasonable medical practitioners will be aware of. It has a distinct set of symptoms that, when they appear together, should set alarm bells ringing in the minds of clinicians. These symptoms include lower back pain, urinary dysfunction and saddle anaesthesia.
When a patient presents with these symptoms, a reasonable medical practitioner would make a mental list of possible diagnoses, one of which should be cauda equina syndrome. A thorough neurological examination should then be carried out to determine whether a patient’s symptoms have a neurological cause – such as cauda equina syndrome.
This neurological examination should include a straight leg raise test, a digital rectal examination and a sensation test around the saddle area (the buttocks and perineum). If this assessment corresponds with the findings one would expect with cauda equina syndrome, an immediate referral should be made to a neuro-surgical team.
Subsequently an emergency MRI scan should be carried out. If this confirms cauda equina compression, emergency surgery must be performed to decompress the nerves. Emergency means within 24 hours.
Medical negligence and cauda equina syndrome
If medical practitioners fail to achieve a reasonable standard of care, such as that described above, there will be a breach of duty. If this causes a patient to suffer harm, there will be grounds for a claim.
It is very likely that a breach of duty will cause a patient harm, as cauda equina syndrome will result in permanent neurological injury, if the nerves are not decompressed in time. A patient will therefore face long-term problems such as partial/total paralysis, urinary urgency or incontinence, and sexual dysfunction.
Cauda equina solicitors
To find out if you can claim for cauda equina syndrome, you must speak to a solicitor. We specialise in cauda equina claims and have successfully helped a number of clients obtain the compensation they deserve. To speak to an expert cauda equina solicitor, please get in touch with our friendly team of solicitors today.