Are you still experiencing problems after a 4th degree tear? It might that the injury was badly repaired. If medical practitioners confirm that this is the case, you could be entitled to pursue a claim for compensation.
For more information on claiming compensation for a poorly repaired 4th degree tear, please contact our team of solicitors today.
4th degree tear not repaired properly
A 4th degree tear is when the perineum, external anal sphincter and internal anal sphincter tear during childbirth. It is the most severe type of perineal tear. After the delivery, a 4th degree tear should be quickly diagnosed and a patient taken straight to theatre for repair.
Sometimes this level of care is achieved, but the patient goes on to develop upsetting symptoms. Typically these include faecal urgency, and incontinence of wind and faeces.
It is possible that these symptoms occur even with an excellent repair. Wind can be particularly hard to control after a 4th degree tear, as the trauma means the internal anal sphincter will not function as well as it once did.
However, there are certainly times when symptoms arise because the 4th degree tear has not been repaired very well. Often the full length of the injury is not repaired, leaving a gap in the anal sphincter. This will significantly impact upon function, as it will be nearly impossible to defer defecation with a hole in the sphincter.
Has this happened to you?
If you are suffering such symptoms after a 4th degree tear, you should ask your doctor for advice.
Many people do not seek medical help as they believe such problems are normal after a traumatic birth. It is true that function can take some time to return, but ongoing faecal incontinence is not commonplace and could be a sign that something is amiss.
If further medical investigations reveal that your tear was not properly repaired, you might want to consider seeking legal advice. A reasonably competent doctor should be able to diagnose and repair a 4th degree tear. It is not acceptable for a poor repair to be conducted. If this has happened to you, you could be eligible to pursue a claim for compensation.
Talk to our team
If you have been left incontinent because your 4th degree tear was badly repaired, please get in touch with us today. We have significant experience in dealing with such claims and will advise you further.
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