Re: Will MRI show if lumbar causing bowel / bladder trouble?
If you are taking narcotics and are suffering from consipation, that's normal. I suggest a good stool softener/laxative. You may even suffer from some urine retention, where you feel you have to go, but nothing comes out, that too can be normal with some of the medications you may be on.
If you are having bowel and bladder issues, (incontinance) get to the ER asap. Do NOT wait to schedule an appointment because that can takes months to see an Orthopeodic. It means you have a serious back issue that needs to be addressed immediately.
Re: Will MRI show if lumbar causing bowel / bladder trouble?
An MRI will _not_ show the cause of bowel/bladder problems. The best it can do is show whether there _might_ be a spinal cause for those problems. In those cases, you would most likely see significant pinching of the relevant nerves. But this has to jive with symptoms, and other potential causes need to be ruled out. A myelogram is a better test for this purpose (but still not certain) as would be an EMG of the urethral or rectal sphincters--extremely uncomfortable, but "to the point." A discogram would probably not add anything useful for this question.
As has been said, if you are having such trouble, getting it evaluated asap is very important. If you have numbness in the genital/urehtral or rectal area, and are either incontinent or "can't go", emergency attention is called for.
Re: Will MRI show if lumbar causing bowel / bladder trouble?
Fkissam, what an MRI of the Lumbar spine could help diagnose is a condition called Cuadia Equina. At the lower end of your spinal cord there is a bundle of nerves that resemble a horses tail. Your bowel and bladder functions are controlled through these nerves. You may have a heriated, bulging or ruptured disc that is causing pressure on these nerves affecting your bowel/ bladder function. This is very serious because if not corrected, it could cause permanant damage. If a doctor suspects caudia equina, an MRI is certainly justified. Do not delay in seeing a doctor, as this can cause permanent damage. Worst case you are out the cost of an emergency room visit but at least you could acheive some peace of mind.
Re: Will MRI show if lumbar causing bowel / bladder trouble?
Agree with Spiro and Al that an MRI can help diagnose bowel/bladder problems as related to spine, but the key is how much the imagery specificallycorrelates with your symptoms and what else can be ruled out. In any event, as pointed out, full retention or incontinence or numbness in those areas is a medical emergency.
