Lumbar stenosis and bowel issues

@marip It does help spine issues in general to increase the core strength of the muscles that support the spine and allow good posture. When you have good posture and the spine is stacked ergonomically, there is much less stress on it. Physical therapy can address that and it can make a difference if the stenosis is not very advanced. Physical therapy does not change what is causing the stenosis which can be overgrowth of bone or enlarged ligaments or ruptured discs. If vertebrae have shifted and are offset by slipping past each other, it will increase the pressure from stenosis by essentially making the spinal canal or foramen smaller. In the foramen which are the spaces between vertebrae, stenosis there gets increased pressure from slipping of vertebrae, ruptured discs, bone growth or by discs that are collapsing, because it starts narrowing down that space where nerves roots exit when the bones get closer together physically because the disc isn't support them.

Sometimes, they need to see if physical therapy helps or not before making a decision to go forward with surgery, and that decision is made based on where the stenosis is affecting the nerves and spinal cord.

You may be interested in checking out this discussion in the Spine Health group where members are discussing stenosis.

Spine Health - "Stenosis/Pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stenosis-pain/

Jennifer

Was recently diagnosed with lumbar stenosis in lower spine and arthritis. I think it may also causing me pain in abdomen and loose stools. Anyone know if stenosis can cause this?

@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.

Mari, if you haven't had an MRI you might want one. Spinal stenosis can be central canal or foraminal. Arthritic changes refer to the joints at the sides of the vertebra. But your symptoms indicate central canal. An MRI would sort that and give you a better indication of the likelyhood of any future surgical intervention.
Physical therapy is great, but won't answer your question.
I would guess that you won't need future surgery. But my guess isn't good enough.

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.

Hi @marip, I merged your 3 discussions on the same topic into one discussion so that you only have one place to search for the helpful responses members like @jenniferhunter @marymargaret0501 @gently and others have offered.

Have you been to see a spine specialst?

Yes

I certainly experienced all the bowel symptoms you described. I was diagnosed with advanced lumbar arthritis + scoliosis, I had L2-5 decompression and fusion, and now (six month later) all those unfortunate bowel issues are 100% gone. Appears there's a good connection there.

But only your neurosurgeon can help you decide if surgery is your next best option. Core work can defer symptoms but not correct the underlying spinal structural challenges.

Tough decisions. Good luck!!!