Can You Get Cauda Equina Syndrome Twice?

It is possible to get cauda equina syndrome more than once. If you think your cauda equina syndrome has returned, you need to seek urgent medical help.

If medical practitioners fail to take timely action, or they caused you to suffer the condition again (for example, because the first operation was poorly performed), you need to talk to a solicitor. If there has been a case of medical negligence, you will be legally entitled to pursue a claim for compensation.

To talk to a cauda equina solicitor about claiming compensation for cauda equina syndrome, please get in touch with us today. We specialise in cauda equina claims and will be able to offer you expert legal advice.

Can I get cauda equina syndrome twice?

Cauda equina syndrome is when the nerves at the base of the spine are compressed. This causes nerve damage and therefore nerve dysfunction.

Normally a patient will suffer the condition just once, although they may be left with long-term symptoms. However, some unfortunate patients will experience cauda equina syndrome on more than one occasion. This can happen in a number of ways, including:

1. Failure to remove the herniated disc

Cauda equina syndrome is often caused by a slipped disc. Urgent surgery must be carried out to remove the portion of the disc that is compressing the nerves. If all of the disc is not cut away, it can continue to press upon the nerves, meaning the cauda equina syndrome is not resolved.

2. Degenerative spinal condition

Alternatively a patient may have a degenerative disease whereby the discs are prone to herniating. If so then cauda equina syndrome may be successfully treated, only to occur once again at a later date.

3. Other conditions

Cauda equina syndrome can also be caused by other chronic conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis), spinal stenosis as well as cancer. These conditions may lead to recurrent cauda equina syndrome.

Treating cauda equina syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome must always be treated with urgent surgical decompression, even if the patient has previously suffered the condition. If medical practitioners fail to act with the appropriate urgency, causing a patient unnecessary harm, there could be grounds for a compensation claim.

There may also be grounds for a claim if the first operation was negligently performed, meaning a patient’s condition was not resolved.

Expert legal advice for cauda equina claims

To talk to a solicitor about claiming compensation for cauda equina syndrome, please contact us today. We will advise you further.

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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