I lately settled a declare for a consumer who had ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Our consumer developed a critical spinal twine harm following a comparatively minor fall in his backyard.
AS is an inflammatory situation, primarily affecting the backbone. It will possibly trigger ache and stiffness and over time result in among the bones of the backbone fusing. Victims are extra weak to spinal fractures, cauda equina syndrome and heart problems. It is rather necessary that medical practitioners give due weight to AS when treating sufferers for different circumstances and recognise absolutely the elevated dangers which might be related to it.
As a medical negligence solicitor, I’m conscious that this isn’t all the time the case and this may have a devastating impression. Right here I look in additional element at this situation and the medical negligence dangers.
AS is a type of spinal arthritis. The trigger is just not recognized, however there may be an obvious hyperlink to a selected gene variant (HLA-B27). The principle signs are again ache and stiffness, however AS can even result in arthritis in different components of the physique in addition to fatigue. In extreme instances the bones within the backbone could develop collectively, resulting in a inflexible and rigid backbone.
Ankylosing spondylitis and cauda equina syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is a uncommon complication of AS. It will possibly happen when the nerves on the backside of the backbone turn into compressed. The signs of growing cauda equina can embrace leg ache or numbness, numbness within the saddle space and an alteration to urinary perform. It’s vital that cauda equina is recognized and handled rapidly, in any other case it may well result in critical long-term incapacity, together with restricted mobility and issues with incontinence. If there’s a delay in prognosis, referral or remedy, then there could also be a declare for medical negligence. My colleague Richard Lodge has written concerning the pointers for referral in cauda equina instances right here. There’s additionally extra details about cauda equina compensation claims on our related webpage.
Missed fractures and compensation
In these affected by AS, osteoporosis can develop within the backbone, growing the danger of fracturing the bones within the again. Because of this these treating a affected person with AS, following an accident for instance, must be alive to the elevated dangers concerned. As above, sufferers with AS could expertise spinal fractures even after minor accidents. Fractures could be tough to detect on customary radiographs. If a fracture is missed, this may have extraordinarily critical penalties, together with neurological deterioration resulting in paraplegia.
In such conditions there could also be a medical negligence declare for compensation. The quantity of compensation concerned could be very vital the place the harm is critical and results in the necessity for lifelong care and remedy. If a affected person requires variations to their lodging or to maneuver to a property that meets their wants, the related prices might be able to be claimed.
Imaginative and prescient adjustments
Iritis (or acute anterior uveitis) is a situation which is usually related to AS. It will possibly result in redness and sensitivity of the eyes together with blurred imaginative and prescient. It’s once more important that swift prognosis is made as with out immediate remedy the situation can lead to a whole lack of imaginative and prescient. A affected person with suspected iritis who attends at their GP must be urgently referred to an ophthalmologist. If there’s a negligent delay then as soon as once more there could also be a declare for scientific negligence.
How we may help
The staff at Kingsley Napley are extremely skilled in coping with advanced claims for scientific negligence together with these regarding critical spinal accidents and failures in prognosis. We’re properly versed in acquiring specialist impartial professional proof and in bringing arguments that there have been failures by medical practitioners to correctly recognise or give ample weight to an underlying situation.
FURTHER INFORMATION
When you’ve got any questions or issues concerning the points raised on this weblog, please contact Aideen McGarry or any member of the Medical Negligence and Private Harm staff.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aideen McGarry is a Senior Affiliate within the Medical Negligence and Private Harm Division. Aideen has expertise engaged on high-value scientific negligence and private harm claims.
