Ankylosing Spondylitis and Cauda Equina Syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome is a condition caused by compression of the nerves at the base of the spine. A number of medical problems can contribute to such a development, one of which is ankylosing spondylitis.

What is ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition which predominantly affects the spine, where inflammation of the joints can cause pain and loss of flexibility in the patient. Calcium can build up around the bones of the spine in response to the condition, causing joints to fuse together. It can ultimately cause the spine to become distorted.

Ankylosing spondylitis and cauda equina syndrome

Ankylosing spondylitis tends to develop initially in the lower back, which is the region of the back where the cauda equina nerves are located. It is possible for the pressure caused by the inflammation of ankylosing spondylitis to cause compression of the cauda equina nerves, meaning that the patient may start to experience loss of neurological function in the lower body.

Symptoms indicative of cauda equina syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome is a known, though rare, complication or development of ankylosing spondylitis. Therefore, if a patient who already has a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis begins to exhibit symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, a referral for an emergency MRI may be an appropriate course of action.

Symptoms which might indicate that the patient is developing cauda equina syndrome could include the following:

• Pain in one or both legs
• Tingling, weakness or numbness in one or both legs
• Alteration in urinary function
• Loss of sensation in the saddle area
• Alteration of sensation during sexual intercourse

MRI referral

An emergency MRI referral is vital where cauda equina syndrome is suspected as any delay may mean that the patient is left with permanent lower body dysfunction. An MRI scan should confirm the cause of any loss of function and alert medical practitioners to the possible need for emergency surgery.

Where the patient still retains some urinary function, it is widely regarded that decompression surgery is required within hours rather than days.

Any delay may allow the patient’s symptoms to deteriorate to the point where recovery of function is unlikely.

Medical Negligence

A failure to respond to or warn of red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, resulting in the patient being left with a lifetime of appalling symptoms may be considered to be medically negligent.

Where the patient is already known to be suffering with a spinal condition, this may be regarded as a significant failure of care.

Contact us to discuss your situation with a specialist medical negligence solicitor if you believe that your cauda equina syndrome should have been diagnosed at an earlier stage.

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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