He may be your husband, father, brother, or son. You've been told that the surgeon got all the cancer and of course you're thrilled. It's been several months since the surgery and he's still leaking, still wearing incontinence pads, and still avoiding many social outings.

Here's what you need to know. Many men (50% or more) experience leakage following prostate surgery. Damage to some or all of the structures that keep urine contained in the bladder is a common consequence of surgery. These layers include the internal bladder sphincter, the lobes of the prostate adjacent to the bladder, and the pelvic floor muscles. Patience is needed initially to permit swelling to subside and healing to begin.

If leakage, day or night time frequency and urgency, or other symptoms persist consider pelvic floor rehabilitation. Studies show that strengthening these "gate keeper" muscles may hasten, improve and often eliminate leakage and related symptoms. A specially trained physical therapist works one on one with each patient to insure proper technique and progression. The therapist uses biofeedback as an evaluation tool and treatment. A home exercise program is assigned and the patient is seen once a week in a comfortable and private setting. Progress can be viewed on the biofeedback screen by patient and therapist alike. 

If you know of someone who would benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy have him suggest physical therapy to his doctor.  Help him get control of this embarrassing problem so he can get busy living life to its fullest.