Cauda Equina Syndrome – Major Cause of Litigation against NHS

An article  in the British Journal of General Practice by Jeremy Fairbanks and Christopher Mallen entitled “Cauda Equina Syndrome: implications for primary care,”(BJGP February 1, 2014 vol.64 no.619 67-68), comments that back pain is common, with 6% of a GP practice’s patients seeing their GPs about back pain each year and that, while in the region of 60% of those will still be suffering back pain a year later, doctors must stay vigilant and consider more serious complications such as cauda equina syndrome.

They confirm that cauda equina syndrome (CES) can arise as a complication of herniation of a disc, (slipped disc), surgery to the lower back and spinal tumours. They point out that, whilst cauda equina syndrome is rare, unsurprisingly it is a major reason for litigation against the NHS, as it can leave previously fit people with bladder and bowel incontinence, loss of sensation in the genitals and perineum and sexual dysfunction. Some patients have to self-catheterise and can often be left with chronic pain in the back and legs.

Fairbanks and Mallen describe the two main types of cauda equina syndrome:

1. CES-R, where urinary retention is already established
2. CES-I, which is incomplete, where there is a reduction in urinary sensation, loss of the feeling of the need to empty the bladder, or a poor stream of urine, but there is no established urinary retention or overflow (incontinence/leakage).

Both of these require an immediate referral for urgent spinal decompression surgery. There is less chance of surgery reversing CES-R bladder problems.

They state that in CES-I the time period from onset of the cauda equina syndrome bladder symptoms is important if there is to be a chance of reversing the bladder symptoms.

Chadwick Lawrence LLP’s team of specialist clinical and Medical negligence solicitors are specialists in medical and clinical negligence claims, including cauda equina syndrome compensation claims. Cauda equina syndrome compensation claims can arise when doctors fail to carry out an adequate examination, fail to take a proper history from the patient, fail to refer urgently for an MRI scan and/or for hospital treatment, or fail to advise patients to urgently seek medical attention if they develop ‘red flag’ symptoms, including inability to pass urine, urinary and/or faecal incontinence and saddle anaesthesia. Failure to provide appropriate advice can result in a delay in patients attending hospital when these “red flag” symptoms develop. Other cauda equina syndrome claims relate to delays and/or failure by doctors to recognise or identify “red flag” symptoms resulting in delays in diagnosis and surgery. Claims can also relate to delays in carrying out or failure to carry out surgery at all.

Our expert claimant medical and clinical negligence solicitors at Chadwick Lawrence LLP have a wealth of expertise in dealing with Medical negligence compensation claims of all types, including cauda equina compensation claims. If you believe you or someone you know may have suffered injury as a result of Medical negligence in the management of cauda equina syndrome or other clinical negligence, Chadwick Lawrence LLP’s expert clinical and Medical negligence lawyers can help you obtain justice and compensation for your injuries, past losses and expenses and, where appropriate, compensation to help provide for your future, including for care, loss of earnings, special accommodation and/or equipment needs, rehabilitation, the cost of orthotics, treatment including pain management and experts’ recommended treatments for bowel and bladder problems including incontinence and constipation, increased travel costs and other expenses.

Please contact our specialist Medical negligence solicitors for free legal advice on Freephone 0800 028 2969

Posted by Jacqueline Vance, Associate, Chadwick Lawrence LLP, medical and clinical negligence solicitors and cauda equina syndrome solicitors in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax, Leeds, Bradford, West Yorkshire.

http://www.caudaequinasyndromeclaims.co.uk;

Freephone 0800 028 2969.