Sacral Neuromodulation in Dual Incontinence: Ultrasound and Afferent Nerve Sensation Assessment

Women with Dual Incontinence (DI) (both Urinary Incontinence (UI) and Fecal Incontinence (FI)) often have more bothersome symptoms, quality of life impact, and sexual dysfunction than those with just UI or FI. In many situations, DI is the result of a failure of communication between the brain and the sacral nerve, which controls the bladder, bowel, and pelvic floor. The only currently available treatment with level 1 effectiveness data for the treatment of BOTH UI and FI is called Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM). Sacral Neuromodulation is a standard of care treatment that involves surgically implanting a device in to a patient's body to target communication issues between their brain and bladder/bowel. Because the exact mechanism of action of SNM remains unclear, this study aims to better understand how SNM affects the nerves of patients with DI. Patients who are already planning on undergoing SNM device implantation will be recruited to this study. Study participants will undergo Current Perception Threshold (CPT) Testing and fill out questionnaires before SNM and 3 months after their SNM treatment. CPT Testing uses mild electrical stimulation in the urethra and rectum to measure and quantify the amount of physical stimuli required for the nerves in the pelvic floor to sense a stimulus. By learning more about nerve function in patients with DI, the investigators hope to find a way to screen patients before treatment with SNM to make sure the treatment will be effective for that individual.