Does Cauda Equina Syndrome Go Away?

If you are suffering from cauda equina, one of the pressing questions that you will have is “Does cauda equina syndrome go away”. In this article we explore the cause of cauda equina syndrome and answer the question of where it is likely to go away.

Cauda equina syndrome symptoms

Cauda equina syndrome can either develop very suddenly (acute onset) or very gradually (chronic onset). When cauda equina syndrome occurs gradually, it may feel like the symptoms are coming and going. This will be especially true if a patient is taking symptom-relieving medication such as painkillers.

Cauda equina compression

Either way, the cauda equina nerves are being compressed and injured. If the compression continues for too long, the nerves will sustain significant damage and will be permanently harmed meaning that sadly in this situation the cauda equina syndrome does not go away.

The nerves are very delicate so it will not take long for extensive injury to occur. There is much debate amongst clinicians as to the precise amount of time this takes, but generally it is thought that in cases of acute CES, long-term damage will arise within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Neurological damage

Once extensive nerve damage happens, the consequences will be permanent. There may be some improvement in a patient’s condition in the years following the cauda equina compression.

However, medical practitioners normally advise that after five years a patient cannot expect to see any further improvement. Any symptoms that they have will be ongoing. Therefore cauda equina syndrome does not go away in this situation.

Permanent complications of cauda equina syndrome

Permanent neurological symptoms as a result of cauda equina syndrome can include:

• Foot drop
• Total/partial leg paralysis
• Urinary dysfunction
• Sexual dysfunction
• Bowel dysfunction
• Loss of sensation in the perineum, genitals, buttocks and upper legs
• Reduced anal tone

Delay in treatment

If a patient suffers permanent neurological damage because of a delay in treatment, there may be a case of medical negligence. Doctors should be able to spot the signs of nerve compression and recognise that they must act quickly to prevent serious harm.

If there is a failure to achieve this standard of care and it causes a delay in diagnosis and/or treatment, the care will be considered substandard. The patient will consequently be entitled to claim compensation for the pain and suffering that this has caused.

Contact us today

To talk to a solicitor about claiming compensation for cauda equina syndrome, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today. We specialise in this area of the law and will be able to advise you further.

If you have been left with permanent neurological damage because of medical error, we will help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Make A Free Cauda Equina Claim Enquiry

Call us free on 0800 234 3300 or from a mobile click to call 01275 334030 for a no cost, no obligation opinion or complete our free online enquiry form.

 

 

 

Read more about cauda equina syndrome?

We specialise in cauda equina claims. We understand that it is a difficult, sensitive and complex topic, so we have written a large amount of articles to help you. Here are some of our most popular ones.

• Cauda equina symptoms come and go
• Does cauda equina syndrome go away?
• Long term effects of cauda equina syndrome
• Partial cauda equina syndrome
• Saddle Anaesthesia

 

 

 

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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