Have you ever heard of a Prostatectomy? A Prostatectomy is a surgery that removes a part or all of the Prostate gland. In the male pelvis, it is below the Urinary Bladder. This surgery is to treat conditions of the Prostate, and most commonly, Prostate cancer. Men need to keep an eye on their Prostate as they age and can develop issues that may require surgery. If you are searching for male pelvic floor therapy in New York City, NY, contact H&D Physical Therapy today and schedule your appointment! For more information on Prostatectomy surgery and its recovery, continue reading below.

What is a Prostatectomy?

As said before, a Prostatectomy is a surgery that removes a part or all of the prostate gland. To treat conditions of the Prostate, and most commonly, prostate cancer. There are two different types of Prostatectomy surgeries, Radical and Simple Prostatectomies. Radical prostatectomy surgery is when doctors remove the prostate gland and the surrounding lymph nodes. 

They then separate the prostate gland from the nerves and blood vessels, removing the Prostate and tissue. A Simple Prostatectomy is usually performed on men with severe urinary symptoms and an enlarged prostate gland. During this procedure, your doctor will insert a long viewing scope through the tip of your penis to see inside the urethra, bladder, and prostate area. 

They then will insert a tube into the tip of your penis that will go into your bladder to drain urine. If you recently had a Prostatectomy and are searching for male pelvic floor therapy in New York City, NY, contact H&D Physical Therapy today and schedule your appointment! 

Signs You May Need a Prostatectomy

Prostate cancer is the most common reason to get a Prostatectomy; however, you may not notice any signs or symptoms. Symptoms you may need a Prostatectomy to include:

  • Trouble urinating
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Less force in the stream of urine
  • Blood in the urine
  • Blood in the semen
  • Pain in bones
  • Losing weight unwillingly

Pelvic Issues After a Prostatectomy

After your surgery, your doctor will most likely put you on some IV pain medications along with going home and walking the day after surgery. Most of the time, men will need a urinary catheter for up to 7 to 10 days after surgery, while a complete recovery of urinary control can take up to a year after surgery. Some issues you may notice after a Prostatectomy include:

Male Pelvic Floor therapy in New York City, NY
Senior group in fitness class trains strength and leg muscles with squats

Urinary Incontinence: This is when you find it hard to control your urine, resulting in leaking and dribbling. 

Erectile Dysfunction: Most men can have sex after prostatectomies while using medicines for Erectile Dysfunction, an external pump, or injectable medication. However, full recovery of erectile function could take up to 18 months for some men. This is because of a condition called Neuropraxia, an injury to the nerves that expels electrical signals from your brain and spinal cord throughout your body.

Other Issues Include:

  • Urinary leaking
  • Bleeding after operation
  • Blood clots
  • A Groin hernia
  • Infection
  • Poor wound healing
  • Blocked urine flow

Treatments and Male Pelvic Therapy 

Pelvic floor muscle training– Kegel exercises help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are important for sexual health, your bladder, and your bowels. To do this Kegel exercise, pull in your pelvic floor muscles for 5 seconds, then release them for 5 seconds, repeating this exercise ten times, three times a day. 

Intraurethral pellet– You insert a tiny drug-treated pellet into the opening of your penis twice a week. The medication is absorbed through the tube that runs into the tissue. The erection could last up to an hour.

Experimental treatments– Researchers are currently trying to find other treatments for Erectile Dysfunction. This includes low-intensity shock waves, stem-cell therapy, acoustic wave therapy, platelet-rich plasma, and gene therapy.

Treatment at H&D Physical Therapy

Researchers have found that up to 30%-80% of men experience Erectile Dysfunction after prostate cancer surgery. The physical therapists at H&D Physical Therapy have years of experience treating patients who require pelvic therapy. Our treatments include:

  • Soft tissue mobilization
  • Abdominal Massage
  • Visceral mobilization
  • Myofascial release of the pelvic floor muscles and surrounding structures
  • Postural reeducation
  • Exercises for core and pelvic floor muscle coordination. 

Male Pelvic Floor therapy in New York City, NY

Our treatments are performed by Physical Therapists specially trained in internal and external management of the pelvic floor and viscera. They also utilize Winback TECAR therapy to enhance healing processes, increase tissue oxygenation, and improve collagen fiber strength. This promotes therapeutic thermal and non-thermal effects on the pelvic floor. If you are searching for male pelvic floor therapy in New York City, NY, contact H&D Physical Therapy today and schedule your appointment!