Pediatric pelvic floor dysfunction refers to a wide range of problems that occur when a child’s muscles are weak, in spasm, and/or too tight. These muscle problems can cause bladder and bowel leakage, day or nighttime incontinence (bedwetting), or dysfunctional elimination. Common diagnoses that are often involved in pelvic floor dysfunction include:
- Bedwetting/Nocturnal Enuresis
- Chronic Constipation
- Encopresis: Bowel Incontinence and/or Inability to empty bowel
- Enuresis: Urinary Incontinence
- Excessive Gas, Abdominal Bloating
- Fecal Urgency/Frequency
- Painful Urination or Defecation
- Urinary Frequency/Urgency
- Urinary Retention
- Vesicoureteral Reflux
Treatment:
All treatment plans are developed on an individual basis and adjusted as necessary. All treatments take place in a comfortable private treatment room with parent/guardian supervision at all times. It is important for a child to feel safe and comforted in order to see the most success with treatment.
The initial evaluation includes: a review of current bowel/bladder function and past and current medical history as well as any special tests that have been completed (i.e. urodynamic test) A physical examination is then performed to look at the muscles of the abdomen, pelvis, and legs.
Treatment includes: biofeedback, muscle strengthening and/or stretching, muscle relaxation techniques, behavioral and diet modification, patient and parent education including anatomy of pelvic floor and urinary tract and how they function together, bladder retraining, and a home exercise program.
Kelly Fortner DPT, Pelvic Floor Therapist, is CAPP-Pelvic certified (Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy) by the APTA. She is available to see patients in Millsboro and Seaford.