Treating Cauda Equina Syndrome

Maintaining good spinal health is key to reducing the risk of cauda equina syndrome (CES). This can be achieved by exercising regularly to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, maintaining good posture and avoiding prolonged periods of sitting and standing in the same position. It is also important to practice proper lifting techniques when lifting heavy objects to avoid straining the back. Treating underlying medical conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis and infections promptly can also help to reduce the risk of developing CES.

If you experience any severe back pain, numbness and weakness in the legs you must seek medical attention immediately!

In the event that cauda equina syndrome (CES) is confirmed, urgent surgical decompression is usually the definitive treatment, but the exact management depends on the cause and the clinical circumstances. A herniated disc is usually treated by removing the damaged part of the disc. A tumour or infection may need to be surgically removed instead. The details vary from case to case but the underlying goal stays the same: to take the pressure off the nerves before the damage becomes permanent.

Most people need physiotherapy afterwards to rebuild strength and mobility and to help bladder and bowel function recover as far as possible. Pain relief and other medication often form part of that recovery too. Depending on the extent of the damage to the nerves, walking aids, wheelchairs or braces may be needed to aid mobility.

How well someone recovers from cauda equina syndrome depends on how quickly it was diagnosed and treated. The longer the nerves stay compressed, the less likely a full recovery becomes.

Could It Have Been Prevented?

It is a question a lot of people ask themselves after receiving a CES diagnosis as well as “Could I have done anything differently?” In most cases, the honest answer is no. Cauda equina syndrome is usually caused by things outside of anyone’s control: a slipped disc, a tumour, an infection or wear and tear on the spine that has been building for years. There is sadly no reliable proven way to prevent most cases.

Although CES cannot always be prevented, there may be circumstances where a delay in diagnosis or treatment could have been avoided. Where symptoms were present but not recognised, appropriate investigations were not arranged or urgent treatment was not provided when it should have been, this may result in a patient suffering more serious or permanent nerve damage than they otherwise would have experienced.

Making A Claim For Cauda Equina Syndrome Compensation

If you believe your cauda equina syndrome was not diagnosed or treated as quickly as it should have been, you may be able to make a medical negligence claim for compensation. A claim will usually involve establishing whether the healthcare professionals involved acted to the standard reasonably expected of them and whether any failure in care caused or contributed to the harm you have suffered and continue to suffer. This can be particularly important in cases of CES as the timing of both diagnosis and treatment can have a significant impact on the outcome, for example, if there was an avoidable delay in recognising the early warning signs, arranging an urgent MRI scan or carrying out surgery, it may be possible to make the argument that the resulting disability could have been avoided.

Experiencing a poor outcome following cauda equina syndrome does not, by itself, mean that medical negligence has occurred. Our team of experienced solicitors can look at the circumstances surrounding your diagnosis and treatment, including the symptoms you experienced, when you sought medical attention, what investigations were carried out and whether there were any delays in receiving appropriate care.

We can answer any questions that you may have and explain the next steps to you so that you can then make an informed decision about pursuing a claim.