Discharged With Urinary Incontinence

Difficulties with urinating and urinary incontinence are major red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome and a failure to spot this may be regarded as a significant failing in medical care.

The urgency of diagnosis in cauda equina syndrome

Once a patient starts to experience urinary symptoms in cauda equina syndrome, their care becomes a matter of emergency. They are likely to require an emergency MRI scan followed by decompression surgery within hours if it is found that their cauda equina nerves are becoming compressed.

A failure to recognise and act on such symptoms can leave the patient with life-long disability and justify the commencement of a claim for compensation.

Cauda equina syndrome disability

A patient who is left with complete cauda equina syndrome due to a delay in diagnosis and treatment may well suffer some or all of the following permanent symptoms:

• Urinary difficulties or incontinence
• Faecal urgency or incontinence
• Wind incontinence
• Severe problems with mobility
• Sexual dysfunction

Recognising red flag symptoms

A patient who is developing cauda equina syndrome will probably start by experiencing lower back and leg pain. This may spread to affect both legs.

The patient may then start to experience symptoms in the saddle area which indicate that their problems may have a neurological basis due to compression of the nerves in the spinal cord.

When the patient starts to suffer tingling or loss of sensation between the legs, around the anus and affecting the bladder, it is vital that they receive emergency medical attention to rule out a cauda equina syndrome diagnosis.

Ignoring cauda equina syndrome symptoms

If a patient attends A&E with difficulty passing urine, loss of sensation in the perineum in combination with back pain, the medical professionals should be hearing alarm bells. An emergency referral for an MRI scan is the appropriate course of action at this point.

It is not appropriate to discharge the patient and send them home.

The significance of urinary symptoms

The deterioration of urinary symptoms is often associated with a deterioration in the patient’s likely post-operative outcome. This is why an emergency response to the development of urinary difficulties is so important.

Where urinary symptoms are ignored and the patient suffers a poor long-term outcome as a result, the relevant medical professionals may be held responsible.

Speak to a solicitor

If you or a loved one are suffering with the permanent and devastating effects of complete cauda equina syndrome, contact us to discuss your experience with a specialist solicitor with expertise cauda equina syndrome compensation claims.

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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