title: Rehabilitation of the short pelvic floor. I: Background and patient evaluation.
abstract: Pelvic floor physical therapists have traditionally focused on rehabilitation of the weak pelvic floor of normal length. With the recognition that many urogynecologic symptoms arise from the presence of a short, painful pelvic floor, the role of the physical therapist is expanding. Clinically, the pelvic floor musculature is found to be short, tender, and therefore weak. There are associated trigger points and characteristic extrapelvic connective tissue abnormalities. We report the characteristic patterns of myofascial and connective tissue abnormalities in 49 patients presenting with this syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60152, USA. mfitzg8@lumc.edu
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: FitzGerald
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kotarinos
mesh_terms: D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000002:abnormalities; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome