Causes of Cauda Equina Syndrome

There are various potential causes of cauda equina syndrome. In this article we explore what causes cauda equina syndrome in more detail, helping you understand why this rare condition might arise.

If you think you have cauda equina syndrome, you must go seek urgent medical attention, as the nerves need to be decompressed as quickly as possible. If medical practitioners fail to give you the treatment you require, causing you harm, there may be grounds for a compensation claim.

For more information about claiming compensation for cauda equina syndrome, please get in touch with us today.

What causes cauda equina syndrome?

What causes cauda equina syndrome? There are different causes of cauda equina syndrome, with some of the most common including:

• Slipped/herniated/prolapsed lumbar disc
• Sequestered lumbar disc
• Narrowing of the spinal column in the lumbar region
• Infections of the spinal canal – including abscesses
• Spinal tumours
• Inflammatory conditions such as sarcoidosis, Paget’s disease and ankylosing spondylitis
• Trauma to the spine
• Spinal anaesthesia
• Lumbar puncture test

Causes cauda equina syndrome – will I get CES?

It is difficult to say who will and who will not get cauda equina syndrome. There are not really any risk factors that would predispose someone to develop the condition. The exception to this is people who regularly lift heavy objects as they will be more likely to suffer a slipped disc.

Otherwise cauda equina syndrome is normally a by-product of another condition such as cancer or inflammation. It is therefore vital when treating cauda equina syndrome to verify the underlying cause, as this is the only way to successfully treat the condition.

Treating cauda equina syndrome

It is also important that cauda equina syndrome is treated as soon as possible. The nerves are very delicate and must be decompressed within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. This means that the patient must be referred to a neurosurgical centre on an emergency basis, or the nerves will be permanently damaged.

The patient will consequently experience a long-term loss of function, with loss of muscle power in the legs, loss of bladder and bowel control, and sexual dysfunction.

Expert legal advice

If doctors failed to recognise the causes of cauda equina syndrome, meaning your condition was not diagnosed and/or treated in a timely manner, you could be considered the innocent victim of medical negligence. Contact us today to talk to a solicitor about your options.

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