Bowel Dysfunction and Cauda Equina Claims
Significant bowel dysfunction can be life-changing. If your symptoms are due to delays in the diagnosis and treatment of cauda equina syndrome, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Why bowel dysfunction occurs
One of the most unpleasant and debilitating effects of complete cauda equina syndrome is the loss of control over the bowel. As compression of the cauda equina nerves worsens, the patient's ability to recognise sensation in the bowel and initiate bowel function will be lost.
The receptors of sensation in the bowel will cease to recognise and inform the brain of the need to defecate. Likewise, the damaged nerves will no longer be able to instruct the bowel muscles to carry out their function to allow the passing of faeces.
Consequently, patients suffering from cauda equina syndrome may suffer extreme urgency when needing the toilet or they may suffer incontinence of both wind and faeces.
The impact of bowel dysfunction
The loss of bowel control can influence pretty much every aspect of life. An individual's need to have urgent access to a toilet can affect their willingness to leave the house and mean that even the simplest of outings or tasks can feel like an impossible challenge.
It may reduce someone's confidence in social gatherings and damage their personal relationships. The psychological impact of this debilitating condition can be severe.
Crucially, it can often affect an individual's capacity to work, particularly in certain fields of employment such as hospitality, meaning a reduction in income. It can sometimes mean that the individual is unable to work at all.
Given that someone with complete cauda equina syndrome is also likely to be suffering bladder problems and mobility losses as well, it is understandable that timely diagnosis and treatment of this appalling condition is absolutely essential.
Medical negligence and causa equina syndrome
A patient who is developing cauda equina syndrome needs emergency medical attention and decompression surgery before they lose bladder function, by which time it is widely accepted that function recovery will be less successful.
Medical professionals faced with a patient with the possible symptoms of cauda equina syndrome need to provide a prompt and appropriate response:
- Recognition of symptoms and a referral for an MRI scan where necessary
- Informing the patient of the red flag symptoms and the need for immediate action
- Arranging a timely MRI scan
- Arranging timely surgery
When a failure to provide one or more of these essential actions results in the patient undergoing delayed surgery and suffering a poor long-term impact, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are suffering the shocking effects of cauda equina syndrome due to poor medical care, contact Glynns Solicitors.
We have supported numerous clients in making highly-successful compensation claims for the inadequate medical management of cauda equina syndrome and one of our team of specialist solicitors will be very happy to talk to you.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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