Neurological Disabilities From Cauda Equina Syndrome

If the cauda equina nerves are compressed, surgery must be performed immediately to alleviate the pressure being placed upon them. If they are not decompressed quickly enough, the patient will be left with permanent neurological disabilities.

Have you suffered long-term damage because your cauda equina syndrome was not diagnosed and treated quickly enough? If so you could be eligible to pursue a medical negligence claim for compensation. Contact us today to find out more.

Cauda equina syndrome decompression surgery

Cauda equina syndrome is when the bundle of nerves at the base of the spinal cord (called the cauda equina nerves) is compressed. Compression can be caused by various factors. A slipped or sequestered disc is a particularly common cause, with spinal tumours, lesions, spinal stenosis and traumatic injury being other potential triggers.

Compression must be alleviated or the delicate nerves will be extensively injured. The nerves will become increasingly more damaged with time, so the nerves should be decompressed as soon as possible. The earlier decompression occurs, the better the outcome will be.

The only way to decompress the nerves is to perform surgery. It is not sufficient to treat cauda equina syndrome conservatively.

Cauda equina syndrome neurological disabilities

If the compression lasts for too long, the nerves will not recover, even with surgery. This will mean that a patient faces long-term neurological disabilities. This can turn a previously fit, healthy individual into someone with ongoing pain, immobility and dysfunction.

More specifically, the neurological disabilities associated with cauda equina syndrome can include:

• Pain – including chronic back pain, shooting pains in one foot/both feet, burning sensation in the buttocks and sciatic-like pain
• Loss of sensation – loss of sensation in the foot/both feet, legs, anal area, perineum and genitals
• Impaired power – persisting weakness affecting the foot, ankle and leg. This can necessitate the use of walking aids or a wheelchair
• Bladder function – including dribbling post-micturition, difficulty starting/stopping urine flow, poor flow, reduced sensation, incontinence and urge incontinence
• Urinary tract infections – bladder dysfunction can also result in retained urine, which can in turn lead to repeat urinary tract infections
• Bowel dysfunction – including altered sensation on evacuation, faecal urgency, incontinence of flatulence and/or faeces
• Sexual function – with loss of sensation, inability to achieve erection (if male) and orgasm

Compensation for your disability

If you have been left with these devastating complications, you need to find out whether poor medical care is to blame. If medical professionals provided a substandard level of care, leading to delays in your treatment, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact us for more information.

Make A Free Cauda Equina Claim Enquiry

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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