Infection Causing Cauda Equina Syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome is most frequently a development of long-term back problems. Can it be caused by an infection in the spine?

Causes of cauda equina syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome is usually caused by a ruptured or herniated disc in the spine putting pressure on the cauda equina nerves and reducing their ability to function as messengers between the brain and the lower body.

Occasionally, however, other factors affecting the spine can produce compression of the cauda equina nerves and one of these is an infection in the spine.

Osteomyelitis in the spine

Osteomyelitis in the spine can cause swelling in the lumbar region of the back where the cauda equina nerves are located. This can lead to the individual developing cauda equina syndrome.

Osteomyelitis is a bacterial bone infection which only occasionally affects the spine, but when it does, it is unfortunately most likely to affect the lower back.

The infection is likely to have spread through the circulatory system from elsewhere in the body rather than having originated in the spine.

As with many conditions, those most susceptible to osteomyelitis are the elderly and individuals who already have a weakened immune system whether due to a pre-existing illness or immune-suppressing treatment for another condition.

Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome

If a patient with osteomyelitis is developing cauda equina syndrome, there are key symptoms to look out for:

• As well as lower back pain, the patient may start to experience pain, tingling and weakness in one or both legs
• The patient’s experience of urinating may start to change. This could mean that they find they are having to strain to empty the bladder or the flow has reduced or they are less aware of needing to urinate. This is a sign that the cauda equina nerves are not passing messages of sensation or movement between the bladder and the brain
• The patient may start to lose feeling between the legs. This is known as saddle paraesthesia and the patient may notice a loss of sensation around the anus and buttocks
• The patient may notice a change in their experience of sexual intercourse such as a loss of feeling
• The patient may also notice changes in their degree of bowel control

Responding to cauda equina syndrome symptoms

If you are suffering with osteomyelitis of the spine and start to develop any of the above symptoms, it is important to seek urgent medical advice.

A patient who attends their GP or A&E service with some or all of the above symptoms may require immediate investigation to ascertain the cause of their symptoms in case it is, in fact, cauda equina syndrome.

This appalling condition is a medical emergency and any delay can lead to a significantly poorer outcome for the patient.

Medical Negligence

If you have been left suffering the appalling, long-term symptoms of cauda equina syndrome due to a failure on the part of your medical professional to respond to your symptoms, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Contact us to discuss your experience. We are specialists in medical negligence law with considerable expertise in cauda equina syndrome claims and would be very happy to advise you.

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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