After surgical interventions for orthopedic injuries, physical therapy is commonly recommended, both before and after the procedure. However, the same standard of care is not always extended to pelvic surgeries, despite the intricate and vital role of the pelvic floor. Consequently, patients experiencing ongoing symptoms post-surgery often seek out pelvic floor physical therapy independently.
The concept of “prehab” involves optimizing pelvic health before surgical procedures like prostatectomy or pelvic floor reconstruction. Studies indicate that patients who undergo pelvic floor physical therapy before and after these surgeries tend to experience improved outcomes.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and Pelvic Surgeries
Pelvic floor physical therapy is recommended both before and after:
- Hysterectomy
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair: cystocele, rectocele, enterocele, urethrocele, anal prolapse
- Mesh excision
- Hemorrhoidectomy, fissurectomy, sphincterotomy
- Prostatectomy
- Endometriosis excision and/or ablation
- Vestibulectomy
- Cesarean Section
- Pudendal Nerve Decompression
- Gender affirmation procedures
- Hernia repairs
After surgical interventions for orthopedic injuries, physical therapy is commonly recommended, both before and after the procedure. However, the same standard of care is not always extended to pelvic surgeries, despite the intricate and vital role of the pelvic floor. Consequently, patients experiencing ongoing symptoms post-surgery often seek out pelvic floor physical therapy independently.
The concept of “prehab” involves optimizing pelvic health before surgical procedures like prostatectomy or pelvic floor reconstruction. Studies indicate that patients who undergo pelvic floor physical therapy before and after these surgeries tend to experience improved outcomes.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and Pelvic Surgeries
Pelvic floor physical therapy is recommended both before and after:
- Hysterectomy
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair: cystocele, rectocele, enterocele, urethrocele, anal prolapse
- Mesh excision
- Hemorrhoidectomy, fissurectomy, sphincterotomy
- Prostatectomy
- Endometriosis excision and/or ablation
- Vestibulectomy
- Cesarean Section
- Pudendal Nerve Decompression
- Gender affirmation procedures
- Hernia repairs
Symptoms
- Pelvic pain
- Urinary urgency, frequency, hesitancy, weak stream, incontinence (leaking)
- Bowel urgency, frequency, hesitancy, incomplete and/or difficulty emptying
- Erectile dysfunction
- Painful intercourse
- Sexual dysfunction and painful or diminished/absent orgasm
- Abdominal, spine, hip, and leg pain
Symptoms
- Pelvic pain
- Urinary urgency, frequency, hesitancy, weak stream, incontinence (leaking)
- Bowel urgency, frequency, hesitancy, incomplete and/or difficulty emptying
- Erectile dysfunction
- Painful intercourse
- Sexual dysfunction and painful or diminished/absent orgasm
- Abdominal, spine, hip, and leg pain
Causes of Persistent Postoperative Symptoms
Many individuals undergoing these procedures often experience pelvic floor dysfunction before surgery, except for those undergoing gender affirmation procedures. Therefore, it’s advantageous for individuals to enhance their pelvic health before surgery to minimize post-operative pain, scar tissue formation, and other musculoskeletal complications. Like any surgical procedure, pelvic surgeries carry the risk of postoperative pain and dysfunction. Despite multiple studies highlighting the advantages of pelvic floor physical therapy before and after surgery, many surgeons remain unaware of its benefits and may not suggest it to their patients. Regrettably, this oversight can lead to unnecessary pain and suffering.
Causes of Persistent Postoperative Symptoms
Many individuals undergoing these procedures often experience pelvic floor dysfunction before surgery, except for those undergoing gender affirmation procedures. Therefore, it’s advantageous for individuals to enhance their pelvic health before surgery to minimize post-operative pain, scar tissue formation, and other musculoskeletal complications. Like any surgical procedure, pelvic surgeries carry the risk of postoperative pain and dysfunction. Despite multiple studies highlighting the advantages of pelvic floor physical therapy before and after surgery, many surgeons remain unaware of its benefits and may not suggest it to their patients. Regrettably, this oversight can lead to unnecessary pain and suffering.
Treatment:
How We Can Help You
Pelvic floor physical therapy, whether in-person or through telehealth, proves beneficial before these surgical procedures to mitigate musculoskeletal and nervous system impairments. Even if you didn’t undergo physical therapy before surgery, we can assist with your rehabilitation afterward, either in person or via telehealth. Generally, patients can commence physical therapy six to eight weeks post-surgery.
During the virtual evaluation, the physical therapist goes over your history and symptoms with you, discussing any changes since the surgical procedure. We review your operative reports, previous diagnoses, pain levels, and functionality. We empathize with your experiences throughout this process.
Throughout the examination, the physical therapist assesses muscles, tissues, joints, nerves, and movement patterns. After completing the examination, your physical therapist discusses their findings with you. Subsequently, they formulate an assessment that outlines the development of your pain and establishes short and long-term goals for your treatment plan.
Usually, virtual therapy sessions occur one to two times per week for about 12 weeks. Alongside these sessions, you’ll receive a personalized home exercise program to enhance your progress at home. Additionally, your physical therapist collaborates with your surgeon and other healthcare providers to ensure a coordinated approach to your recovery. We’re dedicated to supporting you every step of the way, so you don’t have to navigate this journey alone! Our goal is to assist you in reaching your objectives and living the life you aspire to.
Treatment:
How We Can Help You
Pelvic floor physical therapy, whether in-person or through telehealth, proves beneficial before these surgical procedures to mitigate musculoskeletal and nervous system impairments. Even if you didn’t undergo physical therapy before surgery, we can assist with your rehabilitation afterward, either in person or via telehealth. Generally, patients can commence physical therapy six to eight weeks post-surgery.
During the virtual evaluation, the physical therapist goes over your history and symptoms with you, discussing any changes since the surgical procedure. We review your operative reports, previous diagnoses, pain levels, and functionality. We empathize with your experiences throughout this process.
Throughout the examination, the physical therapist assesses muscles, tissues, joints, nerves, and movement patterns. After completing the examination, your physical therapist discusses their findings with you. Subsequently, they formulate an assessment that outlines the development of your pain and establishes short and long-term goals for your treatment plan.
Usually, virtual therapy sessions occur one to two times per week for about 12 weeks. Alongside these sessions, you’ll receive a personalized home exercise program to enhance your progress at home. Additionally, your physical therapist collaborates with your surgeon and other healthcare providers to ensure a coordinated approach to your recovery. We’re dedicated to supporting you every step of the way, so you don’t have to navigate this journey alone! Our goal is to assist you in reaching your objectives and living the life you aspire to.
How Can We Help You?
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At its heart, Pelvic Pain Explained is the story of how patients develop pelvic pain, the challenges patients and providers face throughout the diagnosis and treatment process, the difficult task of sifting through the different available treatment options, and the impact that an “invisible” condition has on a patient’s life and relationships, and much more.