Spotting the Red Flag Symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome

Medical practitioners must spot the red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome when they arise. This will ensure that a patient receives the urgent treatment that is required.

If doctors fail to pick up on the red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, meaning a patient’s treatment is delayed with detrimental effect, there could be grounds for a medical negligence claim.

To talk to a solicitor about claiming compensation for cauda equina syndrome, please get in touch with us today.

Red flags cauda equina syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome is associated with certain symptoms, some of which are defined as red flags. This is because they act as warning signals, telling medical practitioners that the nerve roots are being compressed.

The red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include:

• Urinary difficulties, such as reduced sensation and poor flow
• Numbness around the anus, buttocks and perineum
• Pain and numbness in both legs (often reaching below the knee)

What should a doctor do?

When a patient appears with these red flag symptoms, medical practitioners should strongly suspect cauda equina syndrome.

It may be that another condition is present. However, there is a good indication that a patient has cauda equina syndrome, and because it is a medical emergency, action must be taken immediately to verify a diagnosis.

The presence of red flag symptoms therefore puts the onus on a doctor to perform a thorough neurological examination. This should include testing the sensation and reflexes in the lower limbs, a digital rectal examination to check anal tone, and a pinprick test around the anal margin and perineum to check for reduced sensation.

MRI scanning and surgery

If this tests confirms that a patient has poor anal tone and reduced sensation in the perineum, buttocks and limbs, an urgent MRI scan should be arranged. This should be done the same day or early the following day, depending upon the time of the patient’s hospital admission.

An MRI scan will provide clear images of the lower back, revealing whether there is anything compressing the cauda equina nerves. Most commonly compression is caused by a large central disc prolapse.

If compression is found, a patient should be sent to theatre for emergency decompression surgery.

Not spotting the red flag symptoms

This course of action will not be achieved if medical practitioners fail to spot the red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome. If a patient’s symptoms are overlooked, a diagnosis will not be made until a later date, by which time it may be too late to treat.

If this has happened to you, please get in touch with our lawyer to discuss making a medical negligence claim.

Please call us free on 0800 234 3300, from a mobile click to call 01275 334030 or complete our Free Online Enquiry for a no cost, no obligation opinion.

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