| Bowel care after spinal injury |
After SCI, the nerves in the bowel are not able to communicate messages that the bowel is full and that it is time to go to the toilet. There may also be no control over the rectum (the muscle that controls when you have a bowel movement).
The degree of loss will depend on the level and extent of the spinal lesion.
With injury above T12, the bowel will continue to empty when stimulated, but there will be reduced or no control. There will also be no message telling that the bowel is full. The muscle that controls the opening and closing of the anus stays tight. When the bowel gets full it will empty automatically. This is called an upper motor neuron type bowel or reflexic hypertonic bowel.
With injury below T12 the bowel will not completely empty even when stimulated. The condition will be lower motor neuron type bowel or flaccid hypotonic bowel.
With incomplete or around T12 injury, there may be a mixed upper and lower motor neuron type functioning.
A regular bowel management program will help to ensure that you will not experience bowel accidents or impaction. The program can include regular timing, good diet, exercise, proper fluid intake, and the use of laxatives and rectal stimulants.
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