Post-Prostatectomy Physiotherapy in Singapore: Recovery After Prostate Surgery

PhysioMatters
13 minutes ago
3 min read

Undergoing a prostatectomy is a major step in treating prostate cancer. While surgery is often successful at removing cancerous tissue, recovery can involve temporary challenges such as urinary leakage, reduced pelvic floor control, and erectile dysfunction.

The good news is that these symptoms are common after prostate surgery, and with the right rehabilitation and medical follow-up, many men gradually regain confidence and return to their normal daily activities.

Why Do Men Experience Urinary Leakage After Prostate Surgery?

During a radical prostatectomy, the prostate gland is removed. Because the prostate sits just below the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra, surgery can temporarily affect the muscles, nerves, and structures responsible for controlling urination.

Many men experience urinary incontinence immediately after catheter removal. This may include:

Leakage when coughing, sneezing, or laughing
Dribbling after passing urine
Leakage during exercise
Urgency or difficulty holding urine
Increased frequency of urination

If you would like to understand more about the different types of urinary leakage, you can read our guide on urinary incontinence in Singapore, including causes, types, and physiotherapy treatment.

Although these symptoms are common, they are not something you simply have to live with.

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Pelvic floor muscle exercises and pelvic floor muscle training are widely recommended as conservative options for urinary incontinence following prostate surgery.

Your pelvic floor muscles form a supportive sling underneath the bladder and bowel. After surgery, these muscles often require retraining to support continence and improve coordination around the urinary sphincter.

Research suggests that supervised pelvic floor muscle training can help some men recover urinary continence sooner, especially in the early months after surgery, although recovery timelines vary from person to person.

For men experiencing bladder leakage, urgency, or changes after prostate-related treatment, our article on men’s urinary incontinence causes, solutions, and when to seek help may also be helpful.

At PhysioMatters Singapore, your physiotherapist will perform a comprehensive assessment before creating an individualised rehabilitation programme tailored to your recovery.

Treatment may include:

Pelvic floor muscle assessment and retraining
Correct muscle activation techniques
Bladder retraining strategies
Core and breathing coordination
Functional strengthening
Advice for returning safely to work, exercise, and sport

Rather than simply prescribing Kegel exercises, we ensure you are activating the correct muscles effectively and progressing your programme appropriately as your recovery improves. This is important because pelvic floor exercises are not always as simple as “just doing Kegels”. You can learn more in our article on common myths about urinary incontinence.

Should Physiotherapy Start Before Surgery?

Evidence suggests that beginning pelvic floor muscle training before surgery may help some men feel more prepared and may support recovery afterwards.

Learning how to activate your pelvic floor muscles before your prostatectomy allows you to begin rehabilitation safely after catheter removal, once your surgeon has cleared you to do so.

If you are scheduled for prostate surgery, seeing a physiotherapist beforehand can be a helpful investment in your recovery.

Recovery Looks Different for Everyone

Most men notice gradual improvements during the first few months after surgery, although recovery timelines vary depending on factors such as age, overall health, surgical technique, nerve-sparing status, and pre-existing pelvic floor function.

Whether you're newly recovering from surgery or several months into your journey, physiotherapy can help improve your confidence, independence, and quality of life.

If urinary leakage remains bothersome or is not improving over time, it is also important to discuss this with your urologist, as additional treatment options may be available.

Bladder habits may also play a role in recovery. For men experiencing urgency, frequency, or difficulty holding urine, our article on bladder training techniques that can help with urinary incontinence explains some of the strategies that may be used as part of rehabilitation.

Supporting Your Recovery at PhysioMatters

At PhysioMatters Singapore, our physiotherapists have experience supporting men's pelvic health conditions. We provide evidence-informed rehabilitation programmes tailored specifically to your goals, helping you recover safely and return to the activities you enjoy.

If you would like to learn more about the wider role of physiotherapy in men’s pelvic health, you may also find our Men’s Health Physiotherapy podcast article useful.

If you're preparing for prostate surgery or recovering afterwards, we'd be happy to guide you through every stage of your rehabilitation alongside your medical team.

References

Anderson, C. A., Omar, M. I., Campbell, S. E., Hunter, K. F., Cody, J. D., Glazener, C. M. A., & Moore, K. N. (2019). Conservative management for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1).
Chang, J. I., Lam, V., & Patel, M. I. (2016). Preoperative pelvic floor muscle exercise and postprostatectomy incontinence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Urology, 69(3), 460-467.
American Urological Association/Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction. (2019, amended 2024). Incontinence after prostate treatment: AUA/SUFU guideline.
HealthHub Singapore / Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Prostate cancer surgery and after-prostate-surgery recovery advice.