Lifestyle Impact of Cauda Equina Syndrome

Suffering with cauda equina syndrome can require fundamental changes in lifestyle due to the appalling effects of this dreadful condition. If the long-term nature of the condition is due to medical failings, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.

Physical effects of cauda equina syndrome

Complete cauda equina syndrome can cause permanent, debilitating symptoms including the following:

• Loss of control of the bowel
• Loss of control of the bladder
• Loss of mobility
• Loss of sexual sensation and function

This is an appalling combination of symptoms and their impact on the patient’s life can be considerable in a variety of ways.

Accommodation

Weakness in the legs resulting from cauda equina syndrome may mean that the sufferer requires crutches or a wheelchair. It may also mean that they are unable to go up and down stairs, making their existing home unsuitable for them in the long term.

Consequently, it may become necessary for them to move to single storey accommodation or have substantial adaptations carried out to their home – or, indeed, both.

Care

Their loss of mobility may make an effective level of independence impossible and the sufferer may need to have regular carers to assist with dressing, washing and household chores.

Travel

They – or their partner – may need to have a suitably-adapted car in order to make travel outside the home possible at all.

Work

Work may become impossible, not only due to the loss of mobility, but due to the difficulties associated with bowel and bladder incontinence.

Many people with cauda equina syndrome feel as if their lives almost entirely revolve around dealing with their bowel and bladder problems and ensuring they have easy access to a toilet.

This can mean a significant loss of income due to either work being impossible or a significant restriction in the nature of work that the person can undertake. A compensation claim can help to recover some of this loss of earnings.

The concerns around incontinence frequently mean that sufferers of this condition leave the house far less than they used to and can become socially isolated.

Medical negligence

In some circumstances, there is an opportunity to try to avoid these appalling outcomes.

If the patient attends their GP or A&E facility before their symptoms deteriorate too far, they may be able to undergo decompression surgery before their loss of function becomes permanent.

Speak to a solicitor

If you or a loved one are suffering with long-term problems such as these due to a failure to diagnose or treat cauda equina syndrome I a timely manner, contact us to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.

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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