I Saw Doctor With Symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome needs to be treated within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. If you saw a doctor within 24 hours of developing symptoms, but no immediate action was taken, you could be entitled to pursue a legal claim. Please get in touch with us to find out more.
Fast treatment of cauda equina syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is when the cauda equina nerves, located at the base of the spine, are compressed. Compression usually happens as a result of a slipped disc, but can also be caused by a spinal tumour, arthritis, abscess, inflammation or blood clot.
Compression will rapidly damage the nerves. Once too much damage has been sustained, the nerves cannot be repaired and the patient will be left with life-changing injuries, such as double incontinence, paralysis and the loss of sexual sensation.
Because the nerves become irreparably damaged so quickly, treatment must be given on an emergency basis. The patient requires decompression surgery to relieve the pressure being placed upon the nerves.
Medical experts agree that if surgery is performed within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms the outcome will be much better than if surgery is performed after 24 hours. Certainly after 48 hours the outcome will not be very good.
I went to see a doctor within 24 hours of my symptoms starting
If you saw a doctor within 24 hours of your symptoms starting, you should have been immediately referred to a specialist surgeon. You should then have undergone decompression surgery the same day, or the following morning if you were admitted late at night.
If you did not receive this care, causing your treatment to be delayed beyond 24 to 48 hours, you could be the victim of medical negligence. In the worst cases, a patient's treatment is delayed for so long that he/she develops complete cauda equina syndrome – where feeling in the bladder is totally lost.
Expert legal advice
Whether you saw your GP, consultant or attended A&E, your cauda equina syndrome should have been diagnosed without delay. A failure to provide this standard of care could amount to medical negligence. This means you could be entitled to pursue a claim for compensation.
If medical practitioners failed to pick up on your cauda equina symptoms, delaying your care, please get in touch with our team at Glynns Solicitors. We will be able to say whether or not you have grounds for a legal claim.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation. Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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