Urodynamics
What is Urodynamic Testing?
“Uro” means urine or related to the urinary system. “Dynamics” means avoiding pressure. The lower urinary system consists of ureters, bladder, urethra and sphincter muscles. The bladder is a balloon-like-organ with a muscular wall that expands and contracts.
Urine travels from the kidneys to the bladder through tubes called ureters. Urine is stored in the bladder until you decide to empty it. Emptying occurs by a contraction of the bladder muscle. This means that the bladder muscle “squeezes” to empty the urine from your bladder. The sphincter muscle sits right below the bladder around the urethra. The urethra opens to the outside of your body, where urine is expelled. If you are not ready to empty your bladder, then the sphincter muscle tightens up, like a knot at the bottom of a water-filled balloon. When you decide to empty your bladder, the sphincter muscle relaxes, and urination begins.
Preparing for your appointment
Please ARRIVE 15 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT TIME WITH A FULL BLADDER unless you have a foley catheter or self cath. ONE HOUR prior to testing drink 16 oz of water and the DO NOT DRINK ANYTHING ELSE.
During testing you will be asked to empty your bladder into a special commode. A small catheter will be inserted through the urethra into your bladder. Another catheter will be placed into your rectum to monitor the pressure of your abdominal muscles. Two electrodes will be placed around your rectal opening which will monitor the sphincter muscles.
We will then start the test by filling your bladder with sterile water through a catheter. The test will last approximately 45 minutes and will be recorded on a computer.
- NO caffeinated or alcoholic beverages the night before/ or day of your test. There are no other dietary restrictions.
- Discontinue the following medication 48 hours prior to test: Detrol, Ditropan, Torranil, Sanctura, Enablex, Vesicare, Oxybutin, Oxrol patch, Urelle, Urised, and Prosed, Toviaz, Gelnique, Mybetriq. If you do not discontinue these medications, your test will be rescheduled.
- Please ensure that you have had a bowel movement within 24 hours prior to your testing. If there is a history of constipation, consider a stool softener or bowel prep. Please note-if you have a loose bowel or diarrhea, you may need to reschedule. Call first please.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule your appointment, please call Special Procedures at 214-691-1902 during business hours.
This treatment is subject to deductibles and coinsurance. If you have a plan subject to deductibles and coinsurance and have not heard from our billing department within 3 days of your procedures, please call our billing department at 214-692-8262 option 2.
Please note: This department has a 15-minute window for late arrivals. If you are more than 15 minutes late for your procedure you may be asked to reschedule your appointment.
