Missing the Signs - Medical Negligence and the Urgency of a Cauda Equina
Diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome is a matter of emergency and if medical professionals fail to recognise the possible signs, leaving the patient at risk of permanent and severe disability, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Missing the symptoms of cauda equina compression
Although cauda equina syndrome is a fairly rare condition, it is essential that the possible signs and symptoms are recognised by medical professionals. If a practitioner in the GP surgery or Accident and Emergency have any doubts as to the cause of a patient's lower back and lower body symptoms, it is vital that they seek a second opinion or refer the patient for specialist assessment.
Making a misdiagnosis, failing to provide red flag advice or sending the patient home with compression of the cauda equina nerves could have a catastrophic outcome.
The symptoms which a patient may be exhibiting if they are developing compression of the cauda equina nerves in the lower back could include the following and should not be ignored:
- Pain in the lower back, possibly radiating down into both legs
- Altered sensation in the legs such as weakness or ankle flexing
- Altered sensation or numbness in the saddle area between the legs and around the anus and buttocks
- Altered urinary experience such as having to strain
- Altered awareness of needed to defecate
The impact of a delayed diagnosis
Cauda equina syndrome can be a progressive condition where loss of lower body function increases as the compression of the cauda equina nerves worsens. Therefore, diagnosis usually needs to be made as soon as possible to ensure that decompression surgery takes place promptly to prevent further deterioration.
A delay in diagnosis and surgery may mean that the nerve function is lost and the patient's lower body symptoms, such as double incontinence and loss of mobility, become a permanent feature of their life.
The impact on an individual's life can be wide-ranging and utterly devastating, compromising their ability to work and to undertake many of the activities of their former life.
Talk to a specialist solicitor
If medical professionals have failed to spot the signs of cauda equina compression and are regarded as having contributed to the patient's poor outcome due to their negligence, it may be possible to claim compensation which would address the patient's financial losses.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a specific focus on complex cauda equina syndrome cases.
Call us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
We can offer No Win No Fee funding for medical negligence claims which we will discuss with you during your free initial telephone discussion.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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