Suggest Treatment For Spinal Stenosis

Posted on Tue, 8 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 8 Aug 2017 Answered on

Sat, 26 Aug 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have alot of issues with my back. I am scheduled to have a 3 level fusion from l3-s1. Recently, maybe the past few weeks I have been having some urinary retention. It takes me a long time of sitting on the comnode to urinate. Then I don't feel like I completely empty my bladder. The past week I have been waking up with my hands so swollen that i can not grab anything and they hurt really bad. I don't notice any swelling anywhere else and no pitting edema. Can this all be related to my back issues? I have 3 herniated discs and spinal stenosis throughout.
thank you XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Symptoms are related to back issues

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the question.
I have gone through your medical history in detail.

Yes,the symptoms of urinary retention do seem to be related to your back issues.The herniated lumbar discs compress over the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves are the affected levels causing difficulty in emptying the bladder.

The bladder sensations are gradually lost and may complicate the issues.Due to urinary retention,the hands become swollen due to fluid retention in the body.

Once the back issue is fixed by fusion,these symptoms will gradually improve and you will be able to empty your bladder normally.

The surgery needs to be performed as soon as possible for better results.

I hope the answer was useful.

Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.

Thank you.
Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana