Cauda Equina Red Flags and Clinical Negligence
Awareness of the red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome is essential in ensuring that the patient undergoes decompression surgery in time to prevent irreversible dysfunction.
Red flag symptoms
The red flag symptoms of an illness are those symptoms which should prompt the patient or medical professionals to take immediate action.
The presence of the red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome might indicate that the patient requires an immediate MRI scan and may need immediate surgery if a CES diagnosis is confirmed.
The red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome in a patient with lower back pain include the following:
- Bilateral leg pain and symptoms
- Altered or reduced feeling between the legs and around the anus
- Altered urinary experience such as having to strain or having difficulty emptying the bladder
- Loss of sensation of needing to urinate
- Bowel or bladder incontinence
Assessing for red flag symptoms
It is essential that medical professionals assess a patient with lower back and leg pain for these red flag symptoms.
A failure to do so may mean that signs of cauda equina syndrome are missed and the patient does not receive a diagnosis and surgery in time to prevent further deterioration of their symptoms.
Warning of red flag symptoms
If no red flag symptoms are present in a patient with lower back pain, it is, nonetheless, important that they are warned of the signs to look out for. With no understanding of the key red flag symptoms, the patient may not realise the urgency with which they should seek medical help and their symptoms may continue to deteriorate.
By the time they receive a confirmed diagnosis of their condition, surgery may not be successful in achieving a positive outcome.
The patient may be left to face a lifetime of bowel and bladder incontinence and loss of mobility.
Medical negligence
A medical professional who fails their patient in either of these ways may be regarded as having provided substandard care.
If the patient suffers long-term disability and financial losses as a result of the medical negligence, it might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Contact Glynns Solicitors
If you are struggling with the debilitating effects of cauda equina syndrome due to the failure of a medical professional to recognise the significance of red flag symptoms, ring us today to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
