Consultant Failings Leave Our Client With Cauda Equina Disability
After two to three weeks of back pain, Michael noticed one day that his pain was worsening and, as the day went on, that he was developing numbness around the groin area and was unable to pass urine.
He contacted NHS 111 very early the following morning and an ambulance was arranged to take him to the Emergency Department at hospital where he was seen by a consultant. Despite the fact that both the ambulance paramedic and the triage nurse had recorded Michael's symptoms of saddle anaesthesia and difficulty passing urine, the consultant appears not to have considered a possible diagnosis of cauda equina compression. Michael was discharged with a catheter in place and the advice to take paracetamol for his back pain.
Later that day, he returned to hospital where his saddle numbness was again noted and the paramedic questioned whether he might have cauda equina syndrome.
Michael saw the same consultant who carried out a digital rectal examination, finding that the anal sphincter tone was good, and discharged him home once again.
When Michael asked Glynns to investigate the quality of his medical care, both our Emergency Medicine expert and our spinal surgery expert felt that Michael's symptoms at both hospital attendances merited a referral for an MRI scan and should have raised the possibility of a diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome. It was felt that a scan at this point would have led to surgery three days earlier than was, in fact, the case.
As it turned out, following a further discussion with NHS 111 and due to concerns about new symptoms with his bowel, three days later Michael saw his GP who referred him immediately to the spinal surgeons at hospital. Michael underwent an MRI scan later that day, revealing compression of the cauda equina nerves and was in surgery before the end of the day.
As a result of his earlier negligent care, Michael had suffered a significant delay in diagnosis and surgery, allowing time for his condition to worsen. He now suffers symptoms and difficulties which our medical experts felt would not have been the case had his cauda equina compression been identified during his first or second hospital visits.
Still a young man, Michael continues to experience some difficulties with bowel function, bladder function, sexual function and mobility, all of which he finds distressing.
As a result of his on-going symptoms and associated problems, Michael was awarded in excess of £200,000 in compensation.
(Details which might identify our client have been changed.)
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