@marip This is a very good question to ask. Spinal cord compression can cause bowel and bladder functional issues and that can lead to incontinence which can become permanent if the spinal cord remains compressed and is permanently damaged. This can also happen if the stenosis occurs in the cervical area or compression lower down the spinal cord. All of the nerve connections that leave the brain pass thorough the spinal cord until they exit at one of the nerve roots to reach their destination, so that leaves all that length of the spinal cord where a problem could exist. Early signs can be difficulty completely emptying the bladder or constipation and that can progress to loss of control.

This would be something to discuss with your doctor because they need to consider all the possible causes for symptoms. With your diagnosis of lumbar stenosis, have you consulted a spine surgeon about the diagnosis? Your surgeon should be made aware of all of your symptoms. I will also add that the choice of a surgeon to hire for spine surgery should be made carefully after you research as much as you can about a doctor. It is advantageous to get several opinions before choosing to go forward with spine surgery. Surgery at the lumbar end of the spine is a more difficult recovery than cervical spine surgery, and I and a cervical surgery patient.

Jennifer

Cauda equivalent syndrome has a distinctive list of symptoms which is what would cause bladder and bowl issues in the lumbar area, while the Cervical vertebrae 5-7 can contribute to bladder control. I was born with a too small of a spinal canal and too short of vertebral pedicals so that's how I learned about these things. Only 9% of stenosis is genetic. The remaining is wear and tear and accidents and such. It's very much more likey that there is another reason for your abdominal pain and diarrhea than the arthritis and stenosis.

I have lower lumbar spine scoliosis. Does anyone here have bowel issues constipation and diarrhea? Scoliosis the cause. My back pain and bowel issues seems to have acted up around the same time.