Pelvic floor rehabilitation in patients with levator ani muscle avulsion

Abstract

Objective: To determine if physiotherapy treatment applied to patients with levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion identified after a vaginal delivery, reduces the LAM hiatus area. Material and Methods: A prospective observational study of 52 nulliparous (26 in the experimental and 26 in the control group). We included patients with LAM avulsion, diagnosed by 3-4D/transperineal ultrasound performed 3 months after delivery. Patients in the experimental group underwent a program of pelvic floor exercises, assisted by biofeedback and lumbopelvic stabilization exercises. Assessment of LAM was carried out at 6 and 9 months postpartum, using 3-4D/transperineal ultrasound, and taking the following measurements: levator hiatus area at rest, during Valsalva and at maximum contraction; LAM area, and thickness of right and left LAM. Results: Patients in the experimental group presented a reduction in the levator hiatus area at rest (17.0, 15.7, 15.9 cm2), during Valsalva (23.0, 20.8, 19.9 cm2) and at maximum contraction (15.6, 14.4 and 13.5 cm2), in comparison with patients in the control group, who presented a levator hiatus area at rest of 17.4, 17.2 and 16.8 cm2, during Valsalva of 21.0, 20.8 and 20.3 cm2, and at maximum contraction of 16.6, 16.1 and 15.6 cm2, at 1, 6 and 9 months postpartum respectively (P < 0.05). However, no changes were appreciated in the successive examinations regarding LAM area between study groups: experimental 9.5, 8.9, 9.6 cm2 versus 8.9, 9.0, 9.2 cm2 in the control group. Conclusions: Physiotherapy treatment based on pelvic floor exercises with lumbopelvic stabilization exercises in patients with LAM avulsion reduces the levator hiatus area at rest, during Valsalva and at maximum contraction.