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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Chronic Diarrhea After A Spine Surgery?

I recently had surgery on my spine to remove a Synovial Cyst. Prior to the surgery I was having severe diarrhea. I had a colonoscopy and it was determined that I had Colitis and was started on Lialda 1.2 which didn t help and then changed to Lomotil, also ineffective. Shortly before the diarrhea I was also having difficulty holding my urine before getting to the bathroom. All of this started at the same time as the severe pain I was having down my leg from the sciatica nerve. I was unable to put any pressure on my left leg for approx. 4 months before surgery for the cyst removal. I am barely able to control my bowel and bladder function and worried that I may have Cauda Equina Syndrome.
Fri, 29 Jun 2018
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Cauda equina bladder bowel involvement is late , in conus early involvement is present.

Bladder bowel involvement is present like retention followed by overflow incontinence.

usually it won't cause incresed frequency of loose stools.

may be cyst removal may assosiated with spinal cord compression and retention of urine. But in your case probably may not.

other possibilities like ulcers, polyps, or clostridium difgicale infection etc may present like this.

consult Gastroentrologist he will do stool examination , biopsy and treat you accordingly.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Causes Chronic Diarrhea After A Spine Surgery?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Cauda equina bladder bowel involvement is late , in conus early involvement is present. Bladder bowel involvement is present like retention followed by overflow incontinence. usually it won t cause incresed frequency of loose stools. may be cyst removal may assosiated with spinal cord compression and retention of urine. But in your case probably may not. other possibilities like ulcers, polyps, or clostridium difgicale infection etc may present like this. consult Gastroentrologist he will do stool examination , biopsy and treat you accordingly. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.