Prostatectomy, is the surgical removal or partial removal of the prostate gland. A common procedure for men in the United States. It is typically performed as a treatment for prostate cancer or other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). While there are many short-term and long-term benefits associated with the surgery, it can also sometimes leave men with painful and discomfiting urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Recent studies have shown that pelvic floor physical therapy may be an effective way to help alleviate these issues following prostatectomy. This type of therapy focuses on strengthening the muscles of the pelvis, particularly those that support the bladder and rectum. By doing so, it helps improve urinary control, bladder emptying, and sexual functioning in men who have had a prostatectomy.
The efficacy of pelvic floor physical therapy has been demonstrated in numerous studies. In one study published in Urology Practice in 2018 researchers compared 30 men who underwent pelvic floor physical therapy after their operations to 30 other men who did not receive any form of rehabilitation. After six weeks, almost all of the patients in both groups reported having better urinary control than before their surgery.