Pelvic Floor disorders
Pelvic floor is a group of muscles in the pelvic area that supports the organs in there. By contracting and relaxing these muscles, a person can control the bowel and bladder movements. Pelvic Floor Disorder is a situation when a person is unable to control the muscles in the pelvic area for bowel and bladder movement. People with this disorder contract these muscles rather than relaxing them when required and as such are unable to have bowel movement. Know more about therawand pelvic floor therapy as treatment.
- Constipation, pain, straining during a bowel movement
- Urinary urgency, painful urination, feeling of incomplete urination
- Several and incomplete bowel movements during short durations
- Pain during intercourse and orgasm
- Unexplained pain in pelvic area and genital region
Diagnosis :
There is a multi-pronged approach that is taken by our experts to diagnose Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. Physical examination is done to evaluate the condition of pelvic floor, muscles spasms, or any other muscle related complications.
Defecating proctogram : This also used to check muscle control during the act of passing stools. A special liquid is administered which is then seen on x-ray and the movement of muscles is recorded in a video while attempting to push it out of rectum.
Colon Transit Study: It is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the movements inside the colon, which then helps the doctors in developing a proper course of treatment.
MR Defecogram : It helps to evaluate the working of the muscles of the pelvic and rectal region using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is very useful in diagnosing conditions that hampers stool passing like constipation, pelvic organ prolapse and fecal incontinence.
Anorectal Manometry: This test measures the actual pressure changes that occur in the rectal muscles during passage of stools. It gives a good idea about bowel reflexes, movement of anorectal muscles during the process of defecation and strength of the anal sphincter muscles
Treatment
Pelvic floor dysfunction can normally be treated without surgery but in case if the condition is severe, then surgery has to be performed on the patient for lasting relief. There are conservative treatments as well as surgical options.
Biofeedback : This technique uses electrodes placed on the body or probes inserted inside the anorectal region to measure the degree of tension in the pelvic floor muscles. Then the patient is trained to relax pelvic floor muscles.
Electric Stimulation : This technique involves insertion of a small probe inside the region, which then in reducing muscular tension and desensitises nerves.
Interferential Therapy : this technique helps in relief from spasms by using electric stimulation from electrodes placed on skin.
Laser Therapy : using cold laser beams can help reduce inflammation and spasms.
With various lifestyle issues, more and more people are now suffering from Anorectal diseases , which are sometimes difficult to diagnose and treat with traditional methods. Nowadays, patients with constipation and problems of defecation need a dedicated work up.
Surgical Treatment
Proctopexy : Surgical fixation of a prolapsed rectum.
Laparoscopic Rectopexy : In this procedure, the prolapsed rectum is restored to original position in the pelvic area. This leads to improvement in way that the patient passes stools.
Starr procedure : This is a surgical procedure, in which a surgical stapler is used to remove excess tissues from the rectum. The surgery is done through anus and leaves no scar.
This whole paradigm of investigations; counselling and tailored surgical management of the anorectal conditions is done at our center in Dubai by experts in colorectal surgery to help patients lead a normal healthy life.