Spinal Injury

What is Cauda Equina Syndrome?

If you or someone you know suffers from cauda equina syndrome due to an accident, negligence or substandard treatment, we can help. Our solicitors are experienced in handling spinal injury claims such as these, helping you reach a fair resolution.

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What is cauda equina syndrome and how can I spot the symptoms?

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a condition that occurs when the nerves at the base of the spinal cord are compressed. It can come on suddenly and usually requires emergency surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for the best chance of recovery as, if left untreated, CES can result in permanent paralysis as well as incontinence.

When these nerves become squashed, it can cause pain, numbness and weakness in the legs and feet, as well as issues with bladder and bowel control and difficulty with sexual function.

What causes cauda equina syndrome?

The most common causes of cauda equina syndrome are:

Severe herniated disc in the lumbar area
Lumbar spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal
A spinal lesion or malignant tumour
Spinal infection, inflammation, haemorrhage or fracture
A lumbar spine injury such as a car crash, fall, gunshot or stabbing
A birth defect such as arteriovenous malformation (an abnormal connection between blood vessels)
Postoperative complications following lumbar spine surgery
Spinal anaesthesia

Whether your cauda equina syndrome developed through medical negligence or was caused by an accident at work that wasn’t your fault, you might be able to claim compensation with the help of our legal team.

What are the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome?

It can sometimes be difficult to figure out if you have cauda equina syndrome, as it has a range of symptoms that mimic those of other conditions. These can vary in intensity depending on the exact location and degree of compression.

You should also be aware that symptoms can either develop rapidly within 24 hours or gradually progress over weeks or months. During this period, cauda equina symptoms can come and go. For these reasons, and because it’s not often seen in practice, CES can be hard to diagnose and is often misdiagnosed.

Some of the symptoms to look out for that might indicate CES include:

Severe lower back pain
Weakness, numbness or pain in one or, more commonly, both legs
Saddle anaesthesia – numbness in the areas that would have regular contact with a saddle when riding a horse
Recent issues with your bladder or bowel such as difficulty eliminating urine or faeces (retention) or difficulty holding it (incontinence)
Sensory abnormalities in the bladder or rectum
Recent issues with sexual dysfunction such as inability to achieve an erection or ejaculate or loss of sensation during intercourse
Loss of reflexes in your arms and legs

If you’re living with cauda equina syndrome due to circumstances that weren’t your fault, you could be eligible for compensation to help you move forward.

How can cauda equina syndrome compensation help?

Cauda equina syndrome claims solicitors can help you secure the compensation you deserve so you can live with your condition more comfortably.

For patients left with long-lasting damage, cauda equina syndrome is a disability. You might no longer be able to work because of severe pain, motor weakness and sensory loss. Some people also experience conditions that make their previous work life and relationships difficult, such as incontinence or sexual dysfunction.

CES can also have a serious effect on a person emotionally. You may suffer from depression and require counselling to cope and adjust. A delayed cauda equina syndrome diagnosis or misdiagnosis could also cause you to feel a lot of anger.

If you’ve been left with long-term, disabling consequences from cauda equina syndrome due to medical negligence, you may be able to make a spinal injury claim for compensation.

Cauda equina syndrome compensation case studies

£290,000 for student nurse who suffered a serious spinal injury at work

We acted for a student nurse who developed cauda equina syndrome after injuring her back at work when she slipped on a wet floor.

Her symptoms worsened and she underwent emergency decompression surgery but there was unfortunately a delay in her treatment. She was left with permanent injuries, including needing to self-catheterise and use medication to open her bowels.

We consulted with an expert in spinal injury who stated that the delay in surgery led to her CES becoming more severe. We were able to obtain £290,000 in compensation for our client, including interim payments while the case was progressing.

£1 million settlement for negligence leading to cauda equina syndrome

Our client underwent a spinal decompression operation. Her neurological presentation later deteriorated with a loss of sensation in her legs and saddle area so a surgeon ordered an MRI scan, booked to take place four days later. Another doctor accelerated her MRI scan and it was discovered that our client had a cauda equina spinal injury.

She has incomplete paraplegia, mobility issues, bladder and bowel dysfunction and psychological complications. She lost her independence and became reliant on her husband, paid assistance, family and friends.

Liability and causation were strongly disputed throughout this claim. Despite the fierce resistance, we fought through to a positive conclusion.

Why choose Bolt Burdon Kemp for cauda equina syndrome claims?

Our dedicated solicitors have the knowledge and experience to handle cases revolving around causa equina syndrome claims. It’s one of many reasons why Bolt Burdon Kemp can be trusted to handle your case:

Experience: With over 35 years of experience, we understand the ins and outs of even the most complex cases, helping you get what you need to begin the next chapter of your life.
‘No win no fee’: Our flexible funding structures mean you won’t need to pay unless you win your case.
Compassionate: Approaching a sensitive case requires a deep understanding of the complexities involved, both legal and personal – and this is something our lawyers take pride in.
Partners: We work with partners such as CESCI, so that you can access additional support relating to your case.
Awards:Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 acknowledge us as one of the leading personal injury firms. We are also ranked as one of The Times Best Law Firms 2024 for personal injury and clinical negligence law in England and Wales.
Accredited: As members of The Law Society’s Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme, we’re assessed and accredited each year in line with Lexcel practice management standards.
Testimonials: You can browse hundreds of testimonials from past clients who have shared their positive experiences with us as a firm.

Contact us to speak with our cauda equina syndrome solicitors today

Our legal experts can assess whether you could have a valid cauda equina syndrome claim due to misdiagnosis or an accident that wasn’t your fault.

Most of our clients’ cases don’t require upfront fees as they tend to be taken under Conditional Fee Agreements, also known as ‘no win no fee’ agreements.

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Head of Spinal Injury

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Partner – Part of the Spinal Injury Team

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FAQs

How will my cauda equina syndrome compensation be determined?
Most personal injury compensation claim awards will be determined across two categories:
- General damages: These reflect the pain and suffering experienced due to your injury and will be determined in line with the Judicial College guidelines.
- Special damages: These include costs incurred and earnings lost as a result of your injury. Examples might include medical expenses and compensation for time spent unable to work.
What are the time limits for making a cauda equina syndrome claim?
As with any other personal injury claim, you should be wary of the time limits that apply when making a cauda equina syndrome claim for compensation.

You should begin proceedings against the defendant(s) within three years of your ‘date of knowledge’. This is where a person in your situation could reasonably first know that your injury was significant or was caused by an act you believe was negligent.

There are some exceptions to these time limits, such as:
- If someone lacks the mental capacity to raise a claim: No time limit will apply unless they regain mental capacity, in which case, the three-year time limit will apply.
- You are claiming on behalf of a child: You have until the child’s 21st birthday to raise a claim if they show concern; otherwise, they have three years from their 21st birthday to raise a claim.
How is cauda equina syndrome diagnosed?

It’s important to treat CES early, so a quick and accurate diagnosis is key.

Your doctor will typically request an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan as it’s the only way to definitively confirm or deny a CES diagnosis. The scan produces three-dimensional images of the spinal cord, nerve roots and surrounding areas to show the presence of cauda equina syndrome. Your doctor will use these scans to plan your treatment.

Before they order the MRI scan, your doctor will take a full medical history and do a physical examination to test the stability, strength, alignment and reflexes of your legs and feet.

They may also order other diagnostic imaging tests such as a CT (computed tomography) scan or a myelogram, which is an X-ray of the spinal canal following the injection of a contrast dye.
How rare is cauda equina syndrome?

Cauda equina syndrome is a rare condition, occurring in only one to three in every 100,000 people. It’s not linked to gender or race, and, although it mostly occurs in adults, it can affect people of all ages.

However, if you have a herniated lumbar disc, you’re at higher risk as up to two people in every 100 with the condition develop CES.
What treatments are available for cauda equina syndrome?

If your doctor confirms you have CES, they’ll usually recommend emergency decompression surgery. The goal is to relieve pressure on the cauda equina nerves and to reverse the symptoms of neural dysfunction.

Ideally, the surgery should be done within 24 hours of the onset of serious symptoms as this gives the maximum potential for recovery. That said, patients who receive treatment after 48 hours can still experience significant improvement in their symptoms.

Depending on the underlying cause of the CES, you may also require further treatment. For example, patients who have inflammation may be prescribed anti-inflammatory agents and corticosteroids. You may be given antibiotics if you had an infection and, if the CES was caused by a tumour, you may need radiation or chemotherapy.

After surgery, some patients may notice an immediate improvement in some or all of their symptoms. Others will find that symptoms will gradually improve over time, and this can sometimes take years.

You may be given or able to access further support such as physical therapy to help regain strength, occupational therapy to help you carry out everyday activities, and specialist help for incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

In the long-term, cauda equina syndrome does go away for some patients, although it may take years to make a full recovery. You should also be aware that, even with immediate treatment, some patients may not regain complete function.

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