High Frequency SARS for Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel Emptying

The purpose of this study is to determine if bladder emptying can be achieved using stimulation of the sacral roots at certain frequencies. Neurogenic bladder dysfunction occurs after spinal cord injury (SCI). It is a problem that often includes detrusor-sphincter-dyssynergia (DSD), which results in difficulty emptying the bladder due to reflex urethral sphincter contractions during bladder emptying. Individuals with DSD typically require a catheter to empty their bladder. Some people have received an implanted device that stimulates the spinal nerves that connect to the bladder to empty the bladder without a catheter. However, this procedure usually also includes cutting nerves to stop unwanted reflexes. For this study, the investigators are testing a new stimulation pattern to determine if it can help achieve bladder emptying without having to cut nerves. Individuals with SCI who have received an implanted sacral root stimulation device are being asked to participate in this research to test the effectiveness of electrical stimulation to relax the urethral sphincter and promote bladder emptying.