Physio pre and post prostate surgery
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting men over 50 in Australia, with diagnosis often proving a physically and mentally challenging time for men and their loved ones. Fortunately, modern treatments such as prostatectomy provide good outcomes for the majority of men.
During prostatectomy, the prostate gland is removed which can impair function of the urethral sphincters, the main player in your bladder continence mechanism. This disruption and weakness can lead to urinary incontinence or bladder leakage which is commonly experienced post-operatively.
Role of Pelvic Health Physio: The good news is the pelvic floor muscles are able to compensate for this loss of sphincter integrity, which is where pelvic floor muscle training comes in! Research shows high level evidence that pelvic floor muscle training commenced preoperatively can reduce urinary incontinence associated with prostate surgery.
It is recommended to see a Pelvic Health Physio prior to your surgery so you can be shown how to correctly activate and strengthen these muscles and be given a specific, individualised regime.
At Flow Pelvic Physio, we will complete an individualised assessment and treatment plan, to help you restore bladder function and regain your confidence to get back doing the thing you love most!
Pre-operative management includes:
Tailored pelvic floor muscle training program
We use real time ultrasound to assess activation of the pelvic floor muscles providing you immediate visual feedback on what a pelvic floor contraction should feel like. It also helps your physio assess activation, strength and endurance of these muscles and tailor your plan accordingly
Address any bladder dysfunction and poor bladder habits
Optimising bowels to reduce pressure around the pelvis while you are recovering
Post-op recovery advice
Post-op expectations
Post-operative management includes:
Review of technique and progression of pelvic floor muscle training program
Return to exercise plan - walking, cycling, golf etc
Optimise bladder and bowel function
Address any other concerns
At Flow Pelvic Physio we will work closely with your Urologist and the rest of your care team to provide continuity of care.
References
Australian Prostate Cancer (APC) 2024. Retrieved: https://australianprostatecancer.org.au/
Baumann, F. T., Reimer, N., Gockeln, T., Reike, A., Hallek, M., Ricci, C., ... & Leitzmann, M. (2022). Supervised pelvic floor muscle exercise is more effective than unsupervised pelvic floor muscle exercise at improving urinary incontinence in prostate cancer patients following radical prostatectomy–a systematic review and meta-analysis. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(19), 5374-5385.
Hodges, P. W., Stafford, R. E., Hall, L., Neumann, P., Morrison, S., Frawley, H., ... & Cameron, A. P. (2020, May). Reconsideration of pelvic floor muscle training to prevent and treat incontinence after radical prostatectomy. In Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations (Vol. 38, No. 5, pp. 354-371). Elsevier.
Disclaimer: Blog is for general education only, please seek an individualised assessment and treatment plan with a pelvic health physio.
We provide Pelvic Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy to patients in the Bayside area including Bentleigh, Black Rock, Brighton, Caulfield, Elsternwick, Elwood, Hampton, Highett, Mentone, Moorabbin, Sandringham, St Kilda, Windsor and surrounding areas.