Pudendal Nerve Decompression
There are three different surgical approaches to a Pudendal Nerve Decompression.
- Trans-gluteal Decompression
- With sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments severed with the sacrotuberous ligament repaired with the sacrotuberous ligament repaired with cadaveric gracilis tendon
- Sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments severed without repair
- Partial sectioning of the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments without repair
- Trans-ischio-rectal (TIR) Decompression
- Trans-perineal Decompression
Both the Trans-gluteal and the TIR approaches are currently available in the United States. The trans-perineal approach is only available in Europe at this time. Even though the decompression procedure’s aim is to ‘free’ the Pudendal Nerve and relieve compression, the surgery does not address the dysfunction in the tissue and muscles in the pelvis. A rehabilitation program is essential to successfully recover from Pudendal Nerve Decompression surgery and regain full function. Each surgical approach has its own rehabilitative specificities. PHRC has developed a specific post-operative rehabilitation protocol for each of the Pudendal Nerve Decompression procedures. To read a brief description of the differences in the post-operative rehabilitation for each of the approaches click the link of the surgical procedure above.
Some patients who undergo a Pudendal Nerve Decompression continue to have persistent pelvic pain and/or dysfunction which can be addressed with post-operative rehabilitation.
Symptoms include:
- Sitting pain
- Urinary, bowel, and/or sexual dysfunction or pain
- Feeling of a foreign object in the vagina or rectum
Your physical therapist will customize a post-operative rehabilitation program specific to the surgical approach you underwent and any persistent symptoms of pelvic pain and/or dysfunction.
Disclaimer: The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center seeks to educate the community on musculoskeletal causes of pelvic pain. Specific medical advice and/or answers to your personal health questions will require a full examination by one of our physical therapists. This website is not intended to be a substitute for a medical evaluation, but rather as an educational resource.