POCUS
POCUS is the use of ultrasound scanning providing a “window” into your body to show you real time functioning or movement of your muscles along with the positioning of your pelvic organs (vagina, bladder, rectum). POCUS will also show you in real time how that function, movement and positioning changes with limb movements and activation of your pelvic floor. In addition, POCUS can identify whether you are emptying your bladder fully, assess the proper functioning of the external anal sphincter (sometimes damaged during childbirth), check for pelvic organ prolapse and also assess the muscle function of your abdominal wall including a diastasis recti.
This “window” allows you and your therapist to visualise the organs and movements with muscle contractions. This is extremely helpful in allowing you to see the movements at the same time as feeling for the movement, providing greater feedback than just feeling alone. Often, the biggest barrier to performing a regular and progressive pelvic floor rehabilitation program is lack of awareness of the correct technique – real time ultrasound scanning overcomes this barrier.
Ultrasound scanning has been shown to be one of the safest medical techniques. It has been used to provide valuable pictures and other diagnostic information for four decades, with no evidence of any harm. We use ultrasound scanning through a transducer placed either on the abdominal wall or on the outside of the vaginal entrance using a sterile technique.
Click Here For Details On The Scope Of POCUS In Female Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
Dynamic ultrasound scanning for assessment of a diastasis recti (tummy gap postnatal)
Dynamic Ultrasound Scanning Of The Pelvic Floor And Pelvic Organs
Dynamic Ultrasound Scanning Of External Anal Sphincter
Here the ultrasound probe is placed outside the vaginal entrance. The ultrasound waves can isolate the shape and contraction of the external anal sphincter which can often get injured during childbirth.
Dynamic ultrasound scanning of the pelvic floor and bladder through the abdomen
Here you can see the bladder clearly (the black bit) and the movement of the pelvic floor downwards and upwards at the base of the bladder during a pelvic floor contraction. We can assess pelvic floor function in lying and standing. We can also assess whether you are fully emptying your bladder with ultrasound.