Why Is Cauda Equina Syndrome A Medical Emergency?

Cauda equina syndrome is a rare but highly serious type of spinal stenosis where ‘the nerves called the cauda equina at the bottom of the spine get compressed’.

This collection of nerves at the bottom of your spinal cord affects your legs, genitalia, bladder, and bowel. 

Acute onset cauda equina syndrome is when the condition occurs suddenly, and gradual onset cauda equina syndrome is when it occurs gradually and progressively gets worse.

So, why is cauda equina syndrome a medical emergency?

In short, cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency and requires urgent hospital admission because delayed surgery can result in permanent paralysis. 

While cauda equina syndrome isn’t life-threatening, if left untreated, cauda equina syndrome can permanently damage your body.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome and have been left with problems after a delay in treatment, you might be entitled to claim compensation. 

To find out whether a cauda equina syndrome claim is possible, you should seek legal advice from a clinical negligence solicitor.

What Can Cause Cauda Equina Syndrome?

There are a range of causes for cauda equina syndrome. 

Potential causes of cauda equina syndrome include, but are not limited to:

• A herniated disc
• Birth anomalies
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Spinal infections (such as meningitis)
• Violent injuries to the lower back 

As cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency, it’s crucial that you’re able to spot the signs of this serious condition. 

When the cauda equina nerves become compressed, this results in various red flag symptoms you should be aware of. 

Cauda Equina Syndrome Red Flag Symptoms

While cauda equina syndrome is notoriously difficult to diagnose, some red flag symptoms include, but are not limited to:

1. Altered sensation, pain or weakness in one or both legs
2. Lower back pain
3. Foot drop 
4. Loss of bowel or bladder control
5. Loss of feeling between your inner thighs or saddle area

1. Altered Sensation, Pain Or Weakness In One Or Both Legs

A red flag symptom for cauda equina syndrome is altered sensation or weakness in one or both legs.  Sciatica in both legs is also a red flag symptom.

If you begin experiencing leg weakness or an altered sensation in your legs, you should see a medical professional to rule out cauda equina syndrome. 

This is also true of pain that occurs suddenly or gets progressively worse in one or both legs or if you develop bi-lateral sciatica.

If you have cauda equina syndrome and have been left with lasting damage due to a delay in treatment, you could be entitled to make a negligence claim.

2. Lower Back Pain

Another symptom of cauda equina syndrome is lower back pain. 

Lower back pain can occur for numerous reasons, from exercise to sciatica to much more serious conditions, including cauda equina syndrome. 

That said, although it can be difficult to attribute back pain to cauda equina syndrome, if you’re experiencing inexplicable lower back pain it’s important to get it checked out. 

3. Foot Drop 

Foot drop is a gait abnormality ‘where it’s difficult to lift or move your foot and toes’.

Foot drop typically occurs when there’s a problem with the nerves in the leg, foot, or lower spine or the muscles of the foot and leg.  

Cauda equina syndrome can cause foot drop in one or both feet because the nerves which enable the foot to flex can become damaged.

When this occurs, the signals from the brain that tell the muscles to lift the foot do not get through.

4. Loss Of Bowel Or Bladder Control

Another red flag symptom of cauda equina syndrome is loss of bowel or bladder control.

While this can happen quite naturally as you age, a sudden loss of bowel or bladder control is a cause for concern.

For instance, the patient’s bladder will fill with urine, but they won’t experience the same sensation to urinate. Similarly, if you either can’t feel the need to empty your bowels or do so without realising.

Without this awareness, incontinence of either urine or faeces becomes a common problem associated with cauda equina syndrome. 

5. Loss Of Feeling Between Your Inner Thighs Or Saddle Area

A red flag symptom of cauda equina syndrome is loss of feeling between your inner thighs or saddle area.

The saddle area includes the groin, buttocks, genitals, and anus.

Numbness in these areas, as well as changes in sexual performance or loss of sensation during sexual intercourse (or at any time), can be a sign of cauda equina syndrome.  

While you might not have cauda equina syndrome if you experience these symptoms, due to the severity of the condition, it’s essential to seek medical advice.

Failure to act quickly and perform surgery within a 24 to 48-hour window from the onset of symptoms can increase the likelihood of permanent damage. 

If you suspect you’ve been left with problems due to a delay in treatment, get in touch with a clinical negligence solicitor.

Can You Make A Cauda Equina Syndrome Negligence Claim?

Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency. Where there has been a suspicion of sub-standard medical care relating to individuals with cauda equina syndrome, there may be valid grounds to make a claim for compensation. 

At Harding Evans, we have an experienced team of solicitors who have dealt with numerous cases of cauda equina syndrome. 

Get in touch with a member of our team today to determine whether a claim is possible.