Compensation for Negligent CES Assessment
If a patient attends their GP or Accident and Emergency practitioner with lower back and leg pain, it is essential that they are assessed for any signs or symptom which might indicate a diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome.
Cauda equina syndrome
Lower back pain might indicate that the cauda equina nerves at the base of the spine are being compressed. If this is the case, the patient may require emergency surgery. A delay in recognising this condition can leave a patient with permanent and devastating disability including the following:
- Bowel incontinence
- Bladder incontinence
- Loss of sexual sensation and function
- Foot drop
- Numbness in the legs and loss of mobility
If a patient does not receive a thorough assessment for the red flag symptoms of this shocking condition, their neurological symptoms may be missed and the patient may return home believing that all is well.
They may find, however, that they wake up a few days later with symptoms which are significantly worse, even having suffered incontinence.
The red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome which should prompt an individual to attend hospital immediately and which should initiate an emergency MRI scan would include the following:
- Possible pain and tingling or numbness in both legs rather than just one
- Altered sensation such as numbness or tingling in the saddle are between the legs and around the anus and buttocks
- Loss of awareness of wiping after defecating
- Having to strain in order to start or complete urination
- Loss of awareness of needing to urinate
- Difficulty with ankle reflexes
A patient with lower back pain may not be aware that they are suffering some of these symptoms or may not think it important to mention them. However, they are signs that the cauda equina nerves in the base of the spin emay be lsing their function. This loss will continbue if the patient does not undergo surgery as a matter of emergency.
Medical negligence
A failure by medical professionals to assess for these symptoms in a patient with lower back pain may be regarded as negligent and may justify a claim for compensation.
If you or a loved one are facing significant long-term problems and financial losses due to poor medical care of cauda equina syndrome, contact Glynns Solicitors. We are specialists in medical negligence compensation with extensive expertise in cauda equina syndrome claims. One of our team of specialist solicitors will be 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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