Prostate Cancer Recovery

14 Jul Prostate Cancer Recovery

Prostate cancer and surgery can be a difficult time, and loss of bladder control is expected and distressing.  Bladder control will improve over time, and the most effective way is to perform pelvic floor exercises before and after the surgery.  The reason is to ensure voluntary muscle activation is optimized and the correct technique maintained before and after the surgery.

After removal of the prostate, the main control of the bladder is impaired, leading to bladder leakage. The pelvic floor needs to take over and play a greater role to compensate for the loss of the involuntary mechanism.  Evidence suggests that commencing the pelvic floor training prior to surgery can be of greatest assistance but commencing after can also be beneficial.

Common Symptoms:

• Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh or jump
• Leaking urine on the way to the toilet
• Increased toileting frequency

What to expect at your physiotherapy appointment:

• A thorough assessment to establish goals and a treatment plan
• Real-time ultrasound to explain correct muscle activation
• A personalized pelvic floor muscle exercise program
• Progression of the program and modification to daily activities
• Guidance about the post-op period
• Guidance about returning to exercise and sport