Pelvic PT Flashcards
What is the canister model?
Interplay of trunk structures to assist in load transfer while meeting movement objectives, ensuring safety to structures, supporting organs, all while maintaining optimal respiration.
Top of the canister is diaphragm - bottom is the pelvic floor.
What are the supporting muscles of the canister
Glute med/max
Hamstrings
quadratus lumborum
Thoracolumbar fascia
Hip Adduction
What is the role of the pelvic floor muscles
- Support the pelvic organs
- Sphincters
- Aids in sexual appreciation/function
- Provides stability to SIJoints
- Possible aids in lymphatic drainage
- Posture and breathing.
What are the muscles in first layer of pelvic floor
- Superficial transverse perineal
- Bulbospongiosus (bulbocavernosus)
- Ischiocavernosus
- External anal sphincter
What muscles are in the second layer of pelvic floor
Deep transverse perineal
External urethral sphincter
Sphincter urethrovaginalis - in females
Compressor urethra - in females
What muscles are in third layer of pelvic floor
- Levator Ani
- Pubococcygeus
- Puborectalis
- Pubovaginalis - in females
- Iliococcygeus.
What do we ask in history during PF PT eval
Chief complaint
Surgeries
OBGYN history
Last pelvic/prostate exam
Medications
Bowel and bladder history
What bladder habits do we want to know
Urine stream
Emptying
Frequency at night time and during day
Urge
Volume
Fluid intake
Stop test
Position
What urinary and fecal incontinence symptoms should we ask
Leakage and number of episodes, how much
Form of protection
Symptom aggravators
looking for red flags item that point to neural involvement and cauda equina
What are the neuromuscular controls of the pelvic floor exam we look for
- Relationship b/w TA, Multifidis, and pelvic floor muscles
- Not simply a co-contraction
- Also need to coordinate continence, breathing, and spinal stability.
Describe co-contraction between TA and PF muscles
Hallowing with pelvic floor muscle contraction improved TA thickness by >15%
Describe co-contraction between TA and Multifidis muscles
Two types of abdominal contraction (draw in and brace) both improve lumbar Multifidis activation.
Describe co-contraction between diaphragm and PF muscles
PFM relax on inhalation and contract along with TA with exhalation
Describe co-contraction between Diaphragm and lumbar Multifidis muscles
Diaphragm training may increase thickness of lumbar multifidis and TA
What are the considerations of MSK exam/screening for stability of SIJ
- Force closure
- Form closure
- Any asymmetries
What are the special tests you can use for load transfer assessment
- Stork test
- Active straight leg test
psychometrics of tests improve with cluster, tests are poor individually
What is the stork test
Typical movement during single limb stance — posterior rotation innominate relative to sacrum on stance side (as weight is shifted onto the stance side)
+ve test — anterior rotating innominate.
What is the active straight leg raise
- Supine with both legs fully extended - raise single limb about 5-20 cm - repeat on contra side.
+ve test — pain or heaviness
Differential diagnosis/MSK considerations for the LE during exam
- Hamstring and sacrotuberous ligament
- Adductor magnus trigger point can be described as diffuse/internal pelvic pain
- THA/hip function — possible effects to PF function
- Piriformis Syndrome and obturator Internus
- Labral tears and hip impingement.
What are the external/visual perineal componentes of the PT exam
- Skin integrity
- Scar
- Contraction response
- Bear down response
- External palpation of musculature (clock thing)