Cauda Equina Syndrome

“What is cauda equina syndrome in medical malpractice cases and what to do about it?” is a common question we get. Watch the video below to learn more about cauda equina syndrome red flags,  symptoms, and its causes.

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Video Transcript

Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:43 Cauda Equina Syndrome
1:30 Causes
2:41 Symptoms

One of the common catastrophes that occurs as a result of negligence is the failure to diagnose something that is compressing the spinal cord, which results in symptoms related to the compression, whether it’s weakness in the legs or paralysis or loss of sensation in the extremities, particularly the lower extremities, loss of bladder and bowel control.

0:43 Cauda Equina Syndrome

There’s a name for that. In medicine, it’s called Cauda Equina Syndrome, and when Cauda Equina Syndrome occurs, it is a medical and surgical emergency. Time is of the essence because it must be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. The longer the pressure occurs on the spinal cord, the more likely the blood flow to the spinal cord is going to be impaired and death of these nerves of the spinal cord result. So early diagnosis, prompt diagnosis, and treatment is essential.

One of the common questions is what are the signs and symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome and how do they progress?

1:30 Cause of Cauda Equina Syndrome

Typically, there’s a pre-existing injury to the spine. Whether it’s an automobile accident or trauma of some other sort, it can be as a result of what happens in the operating room. It can be a congenital problem like a cyst on the spinal cord, but they always start, almost always start first with back pain. Now back pain is ubiquitous and it’s commonplace and it occurs on forty percent of people at some time. So back pain by itself is not enough to diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome.

But what happens, is that back pain then progresses to other symptoms. The patient starts getting numbness down his leg or her leg. They can’t straighten their knee or they can’t bear weight on the leg. So weakness of the leg is one of the necessary symptoms. It can then progress to other areas. Patients will develop bladder or bowel problems. They have involuntary urinary symptoms.

2:41 Cauda Equina Syndrome Symptoms

This combination of back pain with progression to numbness and weakness in the one leg and then followed by bladder and bowel problems is the definition of Cauda Equina Syndrome. It is always an emergency. When these symptoms progress, they must be recognized immediately and surgical release of the pressure that’s causing the compression of the nerves of the spinal cord must be done to prevent permanent injury.

If a doctor or another medical professional’s failure to treat an illness, disease, or condition was a result of conduct that did not meet the applicable standard of care and the patient suffered as a result, the patient and/or their family may be entitled to compensation. That is why it is important to consult with our experienced medical malpractice attorneys to hold doctors accountable for their negligent failure to treat. At LawMD, we work tirelessly to obtain compensation for victims of medical malpractice throughout the United States.

Most of our physician-attorneys are either current or past treating doctors in, collectively, a wide range of medical specialties. There is a good chance one or more of our physician attorneys have actually treated medical conditions similar to the ones from which you or your loved one now suffers. That translates into care and understanding as your Counselors, and know-how as your Advocates.