Many people with an spinal cord injury (SCI) will experience bowel dysfunction known as neurogenic bowel, which means they have a decreased ability to control their bowel.

A neurogenic bowel can lead to bowel leakage, constipation or both. The degree of severity of the bowel symptoms depends on the extent and level of the spinal cord injury.

With a high SCI, the general symptoms are

• Slower movement of stool, potentially leading to constipation
• Many uncontrolled bowel contractions which lead to frequent evacuations
• Low rectal capacity – the nerves react to only a small quantity of stool in the rectum, causing frequent evacuations
• Reduced or no control of the external sphincter muscle  – this is due to communication between the sphincter and the brain becoming disrupted and this may lead to faecal incontinence

With a low SCI, the general symptoms are

• Slower movement of stool, potentially leading to constipation.
• Increased rectal capacity – the nerves react only to a large quantity of stool in the rectum, again leading to constipation
• Relaxed and overstretched lower bowels – an increased rectal capacity may overstretch the lower bowels, resulting in leakage and possibly mega colon
• Reduced rectal contractions, making it difficult to fully empty the bowels
• Reduced or no control of the external sphincter muscle, leading to involuntary leakage of stool

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Products that can help to manage bowel problems include: 

• Bowel irrigation

Read more about how to take care of your bowel.

The impact of a spinal cord injury on the bladder can result in involuntary messages to contract the bladder being received by the bladder causing leakage, or wetting. When no messages to contract the bladder are received, then the bladder is not emptying and it retains urine. The urine must be emptied to maintain health and prevent damage to the kidneys, this is most often achieved using intermittent catheterisation. 

Most people with a spinal cord injury will experience bladder dysfunction known as neurogenic bladder, which means they have a decreased ability to control their bladder. Learn more about how the bladder works. 

Typical symptoms of urinary problems associated with spinal cord injury

• Small or large amounts of urine leaking without warning or without feeling the urge to go to the toilet
• Inability of the bladder to empty completely 
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

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Products that can help to manage bladder problems:

• Catheters for women
• Catheters for men
• Collecting systems for men

This FAQ is intended as a guide to commonly asked questions. Please always consult your healthcare professional regarding spinal cord injuries. 

What is meant by spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord injury is the general term used to describe damage to the spinal cord. Typically, the injury is caused by broken bones in the neck or back pressing on the spinal cord. 

What causes spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord injury is most often the result of some sort of trauma, most commonly car accidents, falls, violence or sports injuries. However, it can also result from infection of the spinal cord and certain medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis and spina bifida. 

How can I improve my daily life?

Although most spinal cord injuries are permanent, it is often possible to achieve some degree of improvement through physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Various methods are available to help people with spinal cord injury live as full and active a life as possible by managing complications such as loss of bladder, bowel, or sexual control. 

Why does a spinal cord injury cause bladder issues?

The bladder, which stores urine, is controlled by the nervous system. When you have a spinal cord injury, it is likely that the nerves controlling your bladder are damaged and, as a result, bladder function is affected. Some people find that they need to urinate more frequently or urgently, some experience urine leakage, whereas others experience difficulty emptying the bladder. 

Why does a spinal cord injury cause bowel issues?

The bowel is controlled by the nervous system. When you have a spinal cord injury, it is likely that the nerves controlling your bowel are damaged and, as a result, bowel function is affected.