Potential Pudendal Nerve Problem?

[soldier]

I have reviewed a great many posts and am still unsure of the resent situation with my PN
I am in my late 80's and have suffered with diagnosed arthritic pain for quite few years - also I have been diagnosed several years ago with spinal stenosis in my lower back and neck. I have not had much pain or trouble with either until recently. However after a long drive, I suffered numbness and pain in my knees and ankes. Upon entering my bathroom with a cane, my cane slipped on a rug which slipped and I fell direcly Iin a sitting position, o my buttocks. In this forum, they refer to this as a moderate event. Anyway, with hours, I began to have raher serious pain across the area of my hip bones - NOT my back, but across the area of my hips. I also noticed a "sensitivity in the area of my anus, and feelings of needing to urinate, and lso sensations of needing to have a bowel movement. I stress that this was not pain, but urgency sensations. I do not have painful urination, nor do I have painful bowel movements - just sensitive feelings associated with urinating and defecation. Following relatively normal defecation, I have no real pain, but residual feelings of needing to complete the job aftewards.
I went to see my neurologist because I was fearful of damage. He thoroughly examined me, and had me have a MRI. Essemtially the MRI stated that there was NO soft tissue hematoma appreciated, and that subcutaneous soft tissue appear grossely unremarkable. Went on to say that there was Bony degenerative changes a-preciatted in the bones of the pelvis and hips bilaterlly. No displaced frcture is appreciated. Probably prior TURP (which I have had) procedure - clinicabllycorelate. Well circumscribed slerotic area appreciated in the right iliac wing. These are statistically mody likrly s nonr idlsnf There is enlargement of the prostate which indents the bladder. there is enlargement of the prostate uretha as stated.
My neurologist totally checked my nerves and responses saying these all appear normal.
In view of the symptoms I am having, Would is be possible that I do have some PN damage (and to what degree). I experience not pain, but feelings of pressure being exerted against my spincter areas, which renders need for bowel movement, but by expressing flatuence, this is almost totally elimated since upon effort, no bowel movement is accomplished.
In view of my reviews of this forum - I wold like to receive some considered comments regarding potential involvement of my PN, Thank you for our patience in reviewing my post.
Dr Joe

[Nick]

Hello Dr Joe. It sounds like you might have some involvement with the pudendal nerve but many other things can cause the symptoms you are experiencing. How long ago was your fall? Has the symptom severity changed since then? Standard MRI isn't effective at imaging the pudendal nerve and you pretty much have to see a doc who's aware of PN to get the diagnosis, did your neurologist mention possible pudendal involvement?

I'm new here but I'm sure you'll find out what you need to know. There are lots of knowledgable people who are willing to help on this forum.

Regards,

Nick

[Violet M]

I also noticed a "sensitivity in the area of my anus, and feelings of needing to urinate, and lso sensations of needing to have a bowel movement. I stress that this was not pain, but urgency sensations. I do not have painful urination, nor do I have painful bowel movements - just sensitive feelings associated with urinating and defecation. Following relatively normal defecation, I have no real pain, but residual feelings of needing to complete the job aftewards.
I went to see my neurologist because I was fearful of damage.....
In view of my reviews of this forum - I wold like to receive some considered comments regarding potential involvement of my PN, Thank you for our patience in reviewing my post.
Dr Joe

Hello Dr. Joe,

That sounds like a nasty fall you took. I can't say for sure if your pudendal nerve is involved but I can tell you that sensitive feelings associated with urinating and defecation and the feeling of still needing to go after just going are common symptoms associated with pudendal neuralgia.

Pinpointing the exact cause of pudendal neuralgia can be a bit of a trick -- sometimes after an accident such as yours there can be problems with the pelvic alignment due to stressed sacroiliac joints/ligaments. Maybe you could find some answers by having an evaluation with a physical therapist who deals with these issues.

Violet

[soldier]

Thanks violot - I am currently in therapy - hoping for improvement
Dr Joe

[Violet M]

How long have you been in therapy? Is it helping at all?