Claiming Compensation for Impact of Delayed Cauda Equina Surgery
Surgery to decompress the cauda equina nerves can be a matter of emergency. A delay by medical professionals can leave the patient disabled for life and justify a claim for compensation.
The cauda equina nerves
The cauda equina nerves at the base of the spine are responsible for relaying messaes of sensation between the lower body and the brain. A failure of this function due to compression of the nerves can mean that the patient loses the ability to sense when they need to urinate or defecate. They may lose sensation between the saddle area, around the buttocks and in the legs, compromising their mobility.
These crucial nerves are also responsible for passing messages to initiate movement to the muscles of the lower body. Their failure to function, due to compression, can mean that the patient loses the ability to control their bladder and bowel. They may also suffer foot drop because their ability to flex the ankle has been lost and their overall mobility may be compromised. The patient may find that they are dependent on crutches or a wheelchair.
Consequently, any indication that a patient may be developing a problem with their cauda equina nerves should receive immediate and thorough attention from medical practitioners.
Cauda equina syndrome diagnosis
Early symptoms which might indicate a problem with the cauda equina nerves could include the following:
- Lower back pain
- Pain, tingling or numbness in one or both legs
- Altered sensation in the saddle area
- Numbness around the buttocks
- Changes to urinary experience such as a poor flow or having to strain to start or finish urinating
Lower back and leg pain might be the result of sciatica, but a patient presenting with these symptoms should be checked for any additional symptoms which might suggest an alternative cause.
If any additional symptoms are present, the patient may require an emergency referral for an MRI scan at the nearest Accident and Emergency facility.
A failure by a medical professional to recognise the significance of the symptoms, or to arrange the necessary referral may be considered as negligent.
A delay in referring a patient for further investigation may lead to a delay in surgery if that should prove necessary. If these delays cause the patient to suffer a worse long-term outcome, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation for the impact of those symptoms.
Suffering with permanent complete cauda equina syndrome can deprive the patient of the ability to work and cause considerable financial difficulty.
A successful compensation claim help to alleviate these difficulties.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are struggling with the long-term impact of cauda equina syndrome due to medical delays, contact Glynns 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.
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