Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction

Spinal disorders most often than not are accompanied by indicative symptoms that usually act as the warning sign that all is not right with your back. The most common symptoms of a spinal disorder includes, back pain, neck pain, leg pain, muscular weakness and numbness in the back and neck as well as stiffness and tightness in neck and back region.

However, when a condition of a patient becomes extremely severe he may also suffer from bowel and bladder dysfunction. This symptom is an indication that the patient is suffering from some serious medical condition and needs immediate medical attention.

Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction Causes

bowel and bladder dysfunctionCause of bowel and bladder dysfunction is cauda equine syndrome which is caused by nerve root compression in the spine. This nerve root compression leads to bowel and bladder dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, reduced sensation in the perineal area as well neurological deficit like motor/sensory loss or reflex change.

Cauda equine syndrome or nerve root compression can be caused by a lot of spinal conditions like:

  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Ruptured disc in the lumbar area (herniated disc)
  • Spinal tumor or lesion
  • Hemorrhage, fracture, infection or inflammation in the spine
  • A severe trauma or injury to the lumbar spine
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Kyphoscoliosis

Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction Diagnosis

The diagnosis of bowel bladder dysfunction that is caused by cauda equina syndrome is done so that the site where the compression is taking place is localized and the underlying cause can also be determined. Diagnostic tests like MRI scan, myelograph and CT scan are used to determine the mentioned factors.

Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction Treatment

This condition is extremely severe and the most effective treatment option for it is surgery.

  • Decompression surgery is done to relieve compression from the nerve roots
  • Radiotherapy is also used when the compression is caused by malignant disease
  • Anti-inflammatory medications as well as anti-biotic are also used as when the cause of the problem is inflammatory like Ankylosing spondylolisthesis or an infection