- When a scar from swelling, injury or infection blocks/slows the flow of urine in the urethra
- Can be painful for some
- Men are more susceptible, as a result of having longer urethras than women
- 2 Types are Posterior and Anterior
- Posterior: Happens in the first 1-2” of the urethra
- Due to an injury from a pelvic fractur
- Urethra is disrupted and completely cut/separated
- Urine cannot pass
- Anterior: Happens in the first 9-10” of the urethra
- Due to trauma from a straddle injury, direct trauma to the penis or from urinary catheterization
- Trauma to the urethra from a fall
- Infection
- Damage from surgical tools
- Conditions that cause swelling
- Urinary catheterization
- Prostate surgery
- Kidney stone removal
- Decreased urine stream
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder
- Urine stream spraying
- Straining or pain when urinating
- Urinary frequency
- Urinary urgency
- UTIs in men
- Physical exam
- Urethral imaging: X-rays/ultrasound
- Urethroscopy: To see the inside of the urethra
- Retrograde Urethrogram: Uses x-ray images to check for a structural problem/injury of the urethra as well as the length and location of the stricture along the urethra
*Dependent on the size of the blockage and how much scar tissue there is
- Dilation: Enlarging the stricture with gradual stretching
- Urethrotomy: Cutting the stricture with a laser/knife through a scope
- Urethroplasty: Surgically removing the narrowed section of the urethra/enlarging it
- The procedure might also involve reconstruction of the surrounding tissues through the use of skin/mouth grafts