A patient presenting with an incomplete lesion of cauda equina syndrome must have emergency intervention to prevent the progression to complete cauda equina syndrome.
Incomplete lesion
Incomplete cauda equina syndrome is when a patient with cauda equina syndrome still has some control over their bladder.
Cauda equina syndrome is a neurological condition that happens when the cauda equina nerves at the base of the spine are compressed, often due to a slipped disc. When the condition first occurs, the lesion is said to be ‘incomplete’ because there is still some nerve function.
Symptoms of an incomplete lesion
The cauda equina nerves enable function and sensation in many areas of the body, including the bladder. When the nerves are compressed and damaged, a patient will begin to lose control over their bladder.
While there is an incomplete lesion, a patient will still have some control over their bladder, meaning he/she will know when their bladder is full and will be able to decide when to pass urine. However, there will be a degree of urinary dysfunction, such as difficulty emptying the bladder, poor flow and reduced sensation in the urethra.
Treating an incomplete lesion
If a patient presents with an incomplete lesion, he/she must undergo emergency surgical decompression.
Time really is of the essence because surgery must be carried out before the condition progresses to the complete stage, whereby a patient has no executive control over their bladder. Once a patient develops complete cauda equina syndrome, it is generally accepted that he/she will be left with permanent complications.
The only way to stop an incomplete lesion progressing to a complete lesion is to perform surgical decompression.
Failure to treat an incomplete lesion
Therefore when a patient presents with an incomplete lesion, medical professionals must treat that patient on an emergency basis. If medical professionals fail to act, despite a patient presenting the red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, there standard of care will be deemed unacceptable.
If this delay in treatment means a patient’s condition progresses to the complete stage, causing long-term neurological complications, there will be grounds for a medical negligence compensation claim.
Cauda equina claims
If you believe that medical error has left you with cauda equina complications, you need to speak to a solicitor about your options. If you are advised that there has been a case of negligence, you will be entitled to pursue a claim for compensation. Contact us today to find out more.