Do I Have Cauda Equina Syndrome?

If you are suffering from a painful lower back, constipation and are having difficulty urinating, it is possible that you have a condition known as cauda equina syndrome.

Early signs of cauda equina syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome is when the nerves at the bottom of the spine are injured because something is compressing them (such as a slipped disc or tumour). This damage will cause the nerves to lose function, resulting in a number of symptoms that will get progressively worse with time.

At first, someone whose cauda equina nerves are being compressed will experience:

• Lower back pain which may extend to one or both legs
• Urinary problems
• Constipation due to lack of sensation in the rectum

However, these symptoms in isolation will not indicate cauda equina syndrome. Lower back pain is a very common complaint that can be caused for any number of reasons. Patients with back pain and sciatica are commonly given analgesics which induce constipation. As a result, a history of back pain and constipation alone are of little use in determining the presence or absence of cauda equina syndrome.

But if back pain and constipation are present along with altered urinary habits, alarm bells should start ringing. In fact, urinary dysfunction is one of the most important signals of cauda equina syndrome. It is also a very obvious symptom, as human beings urinate frequently, so any problems will quickly become apparent. Normally urinary dysfunction caused by a cauda equina lesion will lead to the need to urinate more frequently, but it will be difficult to void and fully empty the bladder.

What action should you take?

If you are experiencing the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, you should waste no time in seeking medical attention. Cauda equina syndrome is medical emergency, as urgent treatment is required if normal function is to be regained.

Any reasonably competent doctor should realise that symptoms such as back pain, urinary problems and constipation are indicative of spinal nerve compression. However, these complaints can be caused by any number of conditions. Therefore immediate tests should be performed to confirm or rule out a cauda equina lesion. This should include a physical examination, blood and urine tests and an MRI scan. Together these tests will lead doctors to make a firm diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome.

Did doctors fail to diagnose cauda equina syndrome?

However, unfortunately not all doctors recognise the tell-tale signs of cauda equina syndrome, instead misdiagnosing a patient with a more minor condition such as a urinary tract infection. This will lead to permanent neurological complications for the patient concerned as he or she will not undergo the emergency decompression surgery required.

If this is something that has happened to you, you will be the innocent victim of medical negligence. Contact the Cauda Equina Solicitors to find out what action you should take next, as you could be entitled to compensation.

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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