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Pelvic Floor Re-education pp 91–104Cite as

Clinical Evaluation of the Pelvic Floor Muscles

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Abstract

Clinical examination is the basis of diagnosis of urogynecological disorders. It is important that this examination is performed by a well-trained person with the appropriate skills. The patient should actively participate in the examination and be able to carry out pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contractions in a coordinated way when required. This will form the basis of subsequent pelvic floor exercises and is how the woman will learn the different types of muscle contraction which are integral to this. Digital self examination is an important part of pelvic floor re-education, and a woman should be able to do this herself. There are various grading methods, and, in particular, the P.E.R.F.E.C.T. scheme is an important assessment technique, and necessary when planning a treatment program. The Knack is a useful maneuver that can be taught to guard against stress incontinence.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Penn Center for Continence and Pelvic Health Division of Urology, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Diane K. Newman RNC, MSN, CRNP, FAAN

  2. The Culgaith Clinic, Penrith, UK

    Jo Laycock PhD, FCSP

Authors
  1. Diane K. Newman RNC, MSN, CRNP, FAAN
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  2. Jo Laycock PhD, FCSP
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynaecology, Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany

    Kaven Baessler MD (Consultant Gynaecologist) (Consultant Gynaecologist)

  2. Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Kathryn L. Burgio PhD (Professor of Medicine, Associate Director) (Professor of Medicine, Associate Director)

  3. Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Kathryn L. Burgio PhD (Professor of Medicine, Associate Director) (Professor of Medicine, Associate Director)

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Peggy A. Norton MD (Professor Chief of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery) (Professor Chief of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery)

  5. Neue Frauenklinik, Kantonsspital Luzern, Luzern, Switzerland

    Bernhard Schüssler MD, PhD (Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology) (Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

  6. Department of Urogynaecology, University of New South Wales St George Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Kate H. Moore MBBS, MD, FRCOG, FRANZCOG, CU (Associate Professor) (Associate Professor)

  7. Portland Hospital, London, UK

    Stuart L. Stanton FRCS, FRCOG, FRANZCOG(Hon) (Professor of Pelvic Floor Reconstruction and Urogynaecology) (Professor of Pelvic Floor Reconstruction and Urogynaecology)

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© 2008 Springer-Verlag London Limited

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Newman, D.K., Laycock, J. (2008). Clinical Evaluation of the Pelvic Floor Muscles. In: Baessler, K., Burgio, K.L., Norton, P.A., Schüssler, B., Moore, K.H., Stanton, S.L. (eds) Pelvic Floor Re-education. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-505-9_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-505-9_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-85233-968-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84628-505-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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