{"id":8306,"date":"2026-09-14T09:00:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T07:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sapimed.com\/?p=8306"},"modified":"2026-09-14T09:01:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T07:01:04","slug":"prostatectomy-and-urinary-incontinence-the-role-of-pelvic-health-physiotherapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sapimed.com\/en\/trivia\/prostatectomy-and-urinary-incontinence-the-role-of-pelvic-health-physiotherapy\/","title":{"rendered":"PROSTATECTOMY AND URINARY INCONTINENCE: THE ROLE OF PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY"},"content":{"rendered":"

Radical prostatectomy<\/strong> is one of the main treatment options for prostate cancer<\/strong>. The procedure involves the complete removal of the prostate<\/strong>, a gland of the male reproductive system approximately the size of a walnut, composed of glandular and fibromuscular tissue. The prostate is located below the bladder and is crossed by the urethra, the tube through which urine and seminal fluid are carried out of the body. Important muscular structures are located close to the prostate, including the urethral sphincters, which play a key role in controlling urination. Through their contraction and relaxation, they help regulate the passage of urine and maintain urinary continence.
\n <\/p>\n

Surgical techniques used<\/strong><\/h3>\n

During radical prostatectomy, the prostate gland is completely removed together with the seminal vesicles, and the bladder is then reconnected to the urethra. The procedure can be performed using different surgical techniques:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Open surgery<\/strong>: this involves an incision in the lower abdomen through which the surgeon accesses and removes the prostate. For many years, it represented the standard surgical approach, while today it is used less frequently thanks to the widespread adoption of minimally invasive techniques.<\/li>\n
  • Laparoscopic surgery<\/strong>: this is performed through several small abdominal incisions used to introduce the laparoscope and surgical instruments. The laparoscope is a thin instrument equipped with a light source and a camera, allowing the surgeon to view the surgical field on a monitor. Long, slender instruments are inserted through the other incisions to remove the prostate.\/li>\n
  • Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery<\/strong>: this represents an evolution of the laparoscopic technique. In this case as well, the procedure is performed through small abdominal incisions, but the surgical instruments are connected to the arms of a robotic system controlled directly by the surgeon from a console in the operating room. The system provides a magnified view of the surgical field and translates the surgeon\u2019s hand movements into highly precise movements of the instruments inside the abdomen.<\/li>\n
  • <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Urinary incontinence and risk factors<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Regardless of the surgical technique used, removal of the prostate results in a change in the anatomical and functional balance<\/strong> involved in urinary control. After surgery, the sphincter system and pelvic floor muscles must adapt to the new condition, taking on an even more important role in maintaining urinary continence. In the first few weeks following catheter removal, it is therefore possible to experience involuntary urine leakage<\/strong>, particularly during activities that increase pressure within the abdomen (coughing, sneezing, standing up from a chair, lifting a weight, walking quickly). This is mainly a form of stress urinary incontinence<\/strong>, whose severity and duration can vary considerably from person to person. Recovery of continence is influenced by several individual and surgical factors. Among those that may have the greatest impact on the risk and duration of incontinence after radical prostatectomy are:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • the patient\u2019s anatomical characteristics<\/strong> and general health condition<\/strong>;<\/li>\n
    • the patient\u2019s age<\/strong> at the time of surgery;<\/li>\n
    • the preoperative continence status<\/strong>;<\/li>\n
    • the stage of the disease<\/strong>;<\/li>\n
    • the surgical technique used<\/strong>;<\/li>\n
    • any previous or subsequent radiotherapy treatments<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

       <\/p>\n

      The role of pelvic floor physiotherapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      Involuntary urine leakage after surgery can have a significant impact on daily life, affecting physical activity and social life. In most cases, however, continence tends to improve progressively in the months following prostatectomy. During this recovery process, pelvic floor physiotherapy<\/strong> can provide valuable support in promoting the recovery of urinary control<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      The pelvic floor physiotherapist guides the patient through a personalised rehabilitation programme, beginning with an assessment of the pelvic floor muscles. In particular, the physiotherapist evaluates the patient\u2019s ability to correctly perceive these muscles, contract them, sustain the contraction and relax them, while also observing how they work during breathing. In the early stages of rehabilitation, the focus is mainly on developing awareness of the pelvic floor<\/strong> and learning how to perform a correct contraction<\/strong>, while avoiding excessive activation of other muscle groups such as the abdominal muscles, gluteal muscles or thigh muscles.<\/p>\n

      Once good control has been achieved, the programme can be progressively adapted by introducing exercises aimed at improving muscle strength, endurance and coordination. The goal is to learn to activate the pelvic floor at the right time<\/strong>, especially during situations that may trigger urine leakage, such as coughing, sneezing, standing up from a chair or lifting a weight. In this way, muscle control can be transferred more easily to everyday activities.
      \n 
      \n 
      \n❗The contents of this page are for informational purposes only and should in no way replace the advice, diagnosis, or treatment prescribed by your physician. Responses to the same treatment may vary from patient to patient. Always consult your doctor regarding any information related to diagnoses and treatments, and meticulously follow their instructions.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Radical prostatectomy is one of the main treatment options for prostate cancer. Thanks to advances in surgery, many patients can now approach their treatment journey with good prospects, although the post-operative period may present some challenges, including urinary incontinence. Let\u2019s take a closer look at the role of the pelvic health physiotherapist in supporting men throughout their rehabilitation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8309,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trivia","category-25","description-off"],"yoast_head":"\nProstatectomy and urinary incontinence | Sapi Med<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The role of pelvic floor physiotherapy in recovery after radical prostatectomy and in the management of urinary incontinence.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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