Faecal Incontinence Due to Cauda Equina Syndrome

Complete cauda equina syndrome can leave the patient with permanent bowel dysfunction.

The impact of bowel dysfunction

Understandably, the impact of bowel dysfunction on a person’s life can be significant. It is not only a matter of coping with the physical effects, but coming to terms with the various ways in which those symptoms may affect a person’s working life, their personal relationships and their ability to lead a normal life.

Bowel dysfunction due to cauda equina syndrome may mean that the sufferer experiences extreme urgency when needing to go to the toilet. This can make travelling any distance and particularly using public transport extremely difficult. It can also severely restrict the range of career options available.

Of course, it is also possible that the person has no control of their bowels at all and are incontinent. This can make working, socialising and sexual relationships extremely difficult to maintain. Some people become effectively housebound due to their concerns about being able to control their bowel habits.

Wind incontinence, likewise, can impact on someone’s social confidence and make it all but impossible for them to work in fields such as teaching, hospitality and retail where public interactions are key.

Timely surgery

In order to try to bring about a recovery of function in people who are developing cauda equina syndrome, a prompt and timely diagnosis is vital.

If the diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome is not confirmed until after the patient has lost sensation in their bladder, it would seem that surgery will be less successful and the patient is more likely to be left with significant physical symptoms.

It is crucial, therefore, that early symptoms of cauda equina syndrome are recognised and investigated as a matter of emergency in order to give the patient the best possible chance of successful surgical intervention. Any delay can prove catastrophic.

Patients attending their GP or A&E service with the following symptoms should warrant consideration of a referral for an emergency MRI scan to check the underlying cause of their symptoms.

• Lower back pain
• Pain and tingling or weakness in their legs
• Tingling or alteration of sensation in the saddle area
• Alteration in urinary experience – this could be failing to realise that they need to urinate, having to strain when urinating or an altered flow
• Loss of sensation around the anus – for example, the patient may not be aware of sensation when wiping themselves after defecating

Medical negligence

A failure to act on these symptoms may be regarded as substandard care on the part of the medical practitioner.

Should the patient’s symptoms then deteriorate before surgery due to this failure, leading to a poor long-term outcome, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.

Speak to a specialist solicitor

We have assisted numerous clients to make successful claims for medical negligence related to the treatment of their cauda equina syndrome. Call us now if you or a loved one are suffering with the appalling impact of a delayed diagnosis of your symptoms.

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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