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Why Cauda Equina Syndrome Is A Medical Emergency

By Julie Glynn

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 02Mar2012 Word count: 439 Viewed: 60 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Cauda Equina Syndrome is considered a medical emergency. This means it poses a serious risk to patient's long term health, and so must be treated as soon as possible.

Why is Cauda Equina a Medical Emergency?

Cauda Equina Syndrome is a condition in which the bundle of nerves located at the bottom of the spinal cord becomes compressed. This can occur for any number of reasons, with some of the most common including trauma, inflammatory conditions, a herniated disk and a tumour.

Whatever the root cause of the nerve compression, it is important that medical professionals make a prompt diagnosis. This is because Cauda Equina Syndrome is a serious condition that rapidly deteriorates: the longer the delay, the less chance a patient has of recovery. According to experts, the nerves must be decompressed within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. If no medical intervention is provided and symptoms persist for more than 48 hours, then it is likely the nerves will be irreparably damaged.

Cauda Equina patients who suffer permanent nerve damage such as this will subsequently face long-term health complications. This will vary from case to case, but may include pain, urinary and/or bowel problems, impaired bladder function, reduced sensation in the lower extremities and sexual dysfunction. Nerve damage may even be so severe that a patient is left paralysed.

Why Would There Be a Delay?

Therefore Cauda Equina must be diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion - otherwise a patient's prospect of recovery becomes severely diminished. But why would there be a delay? This usually occurs for one of two reasons: firstly, because patient does not seek medical attention quickly enough and secondly, because medical professionals fail to make a diagnosis.

If there is a delay for the latter reason - in that medical professionals failed to make a diagnosis - then there may be a case of medical negligence. This will often arise if medical professionals have neglected to:-

* Recognise the symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome;

* Make an accurate diagnosis;

* Arrange further tests to confirm whether or not a patient has Cauda Equina Syndrome;

* Recognise the need to treat Cauda Equina Syndrome as soon as possible.

Can You Take Legal Action?

If the treatment you received for Cauda Equina Syndrome fell below an acceptable standard, it is your legal right to make a medical negligence claim. This will help you obtain compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced, and will also help you recover any finances you have lost because of your injuries.

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