To sue a Bristol hospital for negligently managed cauda equina syndrome, please get in touch with us today. We are based in the outskirts of Bristol and specialise in cauda equina claims.
How to diagnose and treat cauda equina syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is regularly described as a rare condition. Nevertheless, it should not be beyond the realm of a reasonably competent medical practitioner to make a diagnosis.
The condition is associated with a distinct set of symptoms which include lower back pain, urinary dysfunction and numbness around the buttock, genitals and perineum. When these symptoms appear together, it is reasonable to expect a clinician to consider the possibility of cauda equina syndrome.
The treating clinician should be aware that cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency, meaning further investigations should be performed as a matter of urgency. The investigation of choice is an MRI scan. This should reveal whether or not the cauda equina nerves are being compressed.
As soon as a diagnosis is made, surgical decompression should be arranged. If the patient still has some control over their bladder – meaning the condition is not yet complete – there is a chance that their symptoms can be reversed. However, function can only be restored if emergency treatment is provided, so there can be no delay in getting a patient to theatre.
Bristol hospital failed to diagnose cauda equina syndrome
Sadly this standard of care is not always met. There can be any number of delays during the course of a diagnosis and during treatment.
Often delays will happen because medical practitioners overlook a possible diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome. Alternatively it may be that the condition is suspected but the patient is not treated as an emergency, meaning their condition progresses from incomplete to complete while they are in a hospital setting.
Whatever the nature of the failings, if medical professionals failed to diagnose and treat cauda equina syndrome in a reasonable fashion, there may be grounds for a medical negligence compensation claim.
Suing a hospital Bristol
If a hospital in or near Bristol failed to manage your cauda equina syndrome properly, leaving you with ongoing complications, please get in touch with us today. Our cauda equina solicitors are specialists in this area of litigation and will be happy to advise you further.
All initial enquiries are completely free of charge, so you can speak to a solicitor today without having to worry about the cost.