Is cauda equina syndrome a permanent disability?
If a patient developing cauda equina syndrome does not undergo surgery at the key moment, they can be left with lifelong, disabling symptoms.
Can you sue for cauda equina syndrome?
If a doctor and hospital fail to diagnose cauda equina syndrome when a patient presents with signs of the condition, it can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit. These lawsuits seek settlements and compensation for pain and suffering, disability, loss of earnings, medical expenses, and other losses.
How long before cauda equina is permanent?
Once extensive nerve damage happens, the consequences will be permanent. There may be some improvement in a patient's condition in the years following the cauda equina compression. However, medical practitioners normally advise that after five years a patient cannot expect to see any further improvement.
Can you fully recover from cauda equina syndrome?
Although cauda equina syndrome is not a fatal condition, it can cause severe neurological damage. If the condition is not treated quickly enough, this damage may be irreversible, meaning a patient will not make a full recovery.
What is cauda equina syndrome?
The cauda equina is the continuation of these nerve roots in the lumbar and sacral region. These nerves send and receive messages to and from the lower limbs and pelvic organs. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) occurs when there is dysfunction of multiple lumbar and sacral nerve roots of the cauda equina.
What is the recovery time for cauda equina surgery?
It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to reach your expected level of mobility and function (this will depend on the severity of your condition and symptoms before the operation).
How long does it take for cauda equina nerve to heal?
Recovery From Cauda Equina Syndrome You might have significant recovery over the course of several weeks, or it could take many months to regain function. Most medical experts say that gradual recovery can continue for up to two years following surgery.
How successful is surgery for cauda equina syndrome?
The most commonly reported outcomes were bladder function (70.5%), motor function (63.9%), and sensation (50.8%).
How painful is cauda equina syndrome?
Sharp or stabbing pain in the legs or lower extremities. Compression of the cauda equina may lead to sciatic nerve pain felt on both sides of the body, and may be experienced as a sharp, hot pain felt down the backs of the thighs and possibly into the lower legs and feet.
What is the most common cause of cauda equina syndrome?
Causes of Cauda Equina Syndrome A severe ruptured disk in the lumbar area (the most common cause) Narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis) A spinal lesion or malignant tumor. A spinal infection, inflammation, hemorrhage, or fracture.
Can you get cauda equina syndrome twice?
It is possible to get cauda equina syndrome more than once. If you think your cauda equina syndrome has returned, you need to seek urgent medical help.
How long can cauda equina last?
The pattern of recovery was quite varied in our group of patients with the most common pattern being motor followed by bowel and bladder followed by sensory recovery. The duration of recovery (for patients with total and near total) ranged from 4 to 32 months with a mean of 13.5 months.
Can cauda equina be temporary?
Transient cauda equina syndrome is an unusual presentation and is believed to occur due to temporary and reversible compression of the cauda equina. It has been described with narrow spinal canals, following epidural injections and with internal vertebral venous plexus engorgement.
Do you always need surgery for cauda equina?
In most cases, you don't need surgery for low back pain. But in rare cases, severe back pain can be a sign of cauda equina syndrome (CES), a condition that usually requires urgent surgical treatment. People with cauda equina syndrome often are admitted to a hospital as a medical emergency.
Can cauda equina syndrome return after surgery?
It can take a few weeks to recover from cauda equina surgery, and a further two years for function to return.
Facts of the Case
Our medical lawyers represented a 52 year old man in a lawsuit against a Wayne County, Michigan hospital and two physicians on staff at the hospital. The lawsuit alleged that their failure to properly diagnose and treat several herniated discs in a 52 year old man’s cervical spine.
Legal Issues in the Case
Did the physicians breach the standard of care in their treatment of the patient?
What We Did to Win the Settlement
We filed a medical malpractice lawsuit in the Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit, Michigan against doctors and hospital. We retained several highly qualified medical experts, including spine surgeon, to provide opinions on medical negligence.
Symptoms
Cauda Equina Settlements and Verdicts
- Below are sample verdicts and settlements in cauda equina cases. These cases tend to settle because the damages are often extremely high because the injuries are permanent and severe. These cases can help you better understand the settlement values in these cases. But there are limits to what you can glean from these results. 1. 2020, Mississippi: ...
Cauda Equina Syndrome Defense Verdicts
- These cases are not always slam dunk winners, which is one reason why you need an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to handle your case. Here are a few defense verdicts. Incredibly, doctors and hospitals often defend these cases, arguing diagnosing the patients early would have made no difference. It is commonly understood in the medical community that spee…
Getting A Cauda Equina Lawyer
- You need an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to handle these cases. Call 800-553-8082 or get a free online consultation. We can help you get justice and money damages for the harm that has been done.