People with neurological disorders (which affect the nerves and nervous system) often have difficulty with urination. This condition is known as neurogenic bladder.

Symptoms of neurogenic bladder include:

• Difficult and/or painful urination (dysuria)
• Inability to urinate
• Incontinence
• Kidney failure
• Overactive bladder
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Urinary stones
• Urine retention

Conditions that can cause neurogenic bladder include:

• Brain injury
• Brain or spinal-cord tumors
• Herniated disks
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Orthopaedic conditions
• Parkinson's disease
• Spina bifida
• Spinal-cord injury
• Stroke

At UT Southwestern Medical Center, our neurourology specialists provide state-of-the-art treatments for patients with neurogenic bladder and related pelvic-floor problems. Here are just a few of the reasons our program is so respected:

• We were the first in North Texas to offer the botulinum toxin injection for neurogenic bladder in men and women, and we are currently involved in clinical trials utilizing botulinum toxin for bladder disorders.
  
  
• We draw referrals from all parts of Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Colorado, New Mexico, and the East and West Coasts. For complex bladder reconstruction in the setting of neurological disease, we are a major referral center for Texas and Oklahoma.
  
  
• Our physicians have outstanding expertise in urodynamic studies, which is the use of X-ray imaging to measure the pressure in the bladder and urinary sphincters.

UT Southwestern also offers a clinical trials program. Patients who qualify for a study may be offered therapies that show particular promise in treating their neurogenic bladder conditions years before they are available to the public.

By carefully evaluating each patient and using a team of specialists to assess specific conditions, our physicians are able to provide effective and compassionate care. The Neurourology Program offers each patient a unique treatment plan designed to achieve an optimal rehabilitation and an improved quality of life.