Prostatectomy
PROSTATECTOMY
Common side effects of pelvic floor dysfunction of prostatectomy surgeries can include:
- erectile dysfunction
- urinary leakage and or urge incontinence.
- dribbling
- There can also be a deep ache in the pelvis where the prostate used to be, and it can be the result of scar adhesion and trigger points in the PFM that are close to the prostate area.
Physiotherapy treatment should be a 4-month plan starting 1 month pre-operatively. Stop with the pelvic floor muscle training while the catheter is in situ. As soon as the catheter is removed start with exercises until continence has recovered. Most men should be dry 6-12 weeks post-surgery.
BE PRO ACTIVE: PLAN FOR RECOVERY BEFORE STARTING TREATMENT:
“Rehabilitation” means optimizing your health before treatment to potentially improve your outcomes. Using multiple approaches, both before and after treatment, may support recovery.
Normally men have three separate anatomical structures to control urine:
- The internal sphincter in the bladder neck
- The prostate itself
- The external sphincter (Pelvic floor muscle)
After a prostatectomy you need the control your continence using the pelvic floor muscle, the external sphincter which you can train.
- Kegel exercises involve exercising your pelvic floor muscles to train for endurance, power, strength, and speed.
- During training of the pelvic floor muscle there need to be a balance and coordination between contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscle to help restoring your erections and help to reduce bladder issues and pain.
- Rehabilitate your core: the pelvic floor muscles and abdominal muscles work together to support the body and maintain bladder, bowel, and sexual function.
- Intra-rectal treatment can only be started after clearance of our Urologist (6 weeks post-operative)
- Rehabilitate and strengthen the whole body: Strong body, strong mind. When your body becomes stronger, your muscular system will be able to bounce back from flare ups more easily.
- Diaphragmatic breathing during the training of your pelvic floor muscle. When you inhale the diaphragm flattens (lowers), the tummy will expand, and the pelvic floor will also lower/lengthen / relaxing as they work in synchronicity. As you exhale the diaphragm rises to push air out and the pelvic floor muscles contract. Inhaling and exhaling must be at the same length of time.
Erectile aids such as medication, a vacuum pump, and/or penile injections.
- There is growing evidence that early use of interventions may improve recovery of erectile function.
THERE IS ALWAYS HELP FOR URINARY INCONTINENCE AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY!!
DR PATRICK WALSH SAYS:
“About 80 percent should be dry or have the occasional drop – by 3 months after surgery and at 12 months, 95 to 98 percent should be continent.
” Walsh considers a man continent “if he wears no pad or if he wears a pad that is dry. “Many men continue to wear a small pad just to be safe,” he explains.
“Most men, even at three months, are not very wet. It is hard to believe, but urinary control does continue to improve over two years, and occasionally, even longer than that.”
About 2% of patients will need surgical intervention for ongoing leakage beyond 1 year post –op. (A bladder sling or an artificial urethral sphincter)
September is Prostate awareness month- please Suit Up, take a picture and share on the
Prostate Cancer Foundation South Africa Facebook or Instagram.
DR PATRICK WALSH SAYS:
“About 80 percent should be dry or have the occasional drop – by 3 months after surgery and at 12 months, 95 to 98 percent should be continent.
” Walsh considers a man continent “if he wears no pad or if he wears a pad that is dry. “Many men continue to wear a small pad just to be safe,” he explains.
“Most men, even at three months, are not very wet. It is hard to believe, but urinary control does continue to improve over two years, and occasionally, even longer than that.”
About 2% of patients will need surgical intervention for ongoing leakage beyond 1 year post –op. (A bladder sling or an artificial urethral sphincter)
September is Prostate awareness month- please Suit Up, take a picture and share on the
Prostate Cancer Foundation South Africa Facebook or Instagram.
If you need help or support, also make use: Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa