Is Pelvic Floor PT routinely required after colorectal surgery?

Posted by kenc @kenc, Mar 18 9:47am

Is Pelvic Floor physical therapy routinely requied after colorectal surgery. 10 years after the surgery I am now required to do pelvic floor PT and find it very painful. This has been prescribed as a result of increasing pain and discomfort in the rectal area, which was remove several years ago.

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piki | @piki | Mar 18 10:26am

I have no answer to this question except that I should reestablish my own routine for pelvic floor therapy because I have so much difficulty with rectal stump mucus.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 23 4:39pm

@kenc, how are the pelvic floor exercises going? I find consistency for any physical therapy is key. Doing exercises daily really makes a difference. Is it getting easier and less painful as you go?

kenc | @kenc | Mar 23 5:03pm

I struggle with the PT both mentally physically considering I have periodic spats of strong pain in what use to be my rectal area. Some days it is easy while other days it lays me up in bed for several hours. Any suggestion would be very much appreciated.

harrison221 | @harrison221 | Mar 24 8:58am

Kenc, Everyone has an opinion. I don't think you should be performing an exercise that puts you in bed for several hours. Please check with your Doctor.

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Mar 24 9:17am

@kenc I started doing pelvic floor exercises assigned by a pelvic floor PT after I had a hysterectomy in 2019. None of these exercises were painful. Some are (I still do these exercises) uncomfortable but I don't push myself into the pain zone. Ten years between surgery and pelvic floor PT and exercises is a long time. I suggest that you discuss this with both your doctor who prescribed the PT and your PT as these exercises should relax muscles over time and not bring about pain. When is your next appointment with your pelvic floor PT?