Post-Prostatectomy Rehabilitation Considerations for the Pelvic Health Clinician: HoLEP versus RALP 

This session will compare and contrast two commonly performed surgical interventions for benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer with considerations for deliverance of nuanced post-prostatectomy care that promotes urinary continence and optimizes patient outcomes.

Description

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men after skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 2024, and 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed during their lifetime. Due to early detection and treatment advances, prostate cancer survivorship is high. As a result, more patients are contending with urinary incontinence secondary to prostatectomy. This common and distressing complication can have a devastating impact on quality of life. Pelvic physical therapy is a consideration for conservative treatment of urinary incontinence following prostatectomy that can improve urinary function and improve or restore continence.  

In this session, cisgender male anatomy and mechanisms of continence will be described along with common sequelae of prostatectomy and cancer treatments as relates to continence. Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy and Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate procedures will be described and compared with specific attention to implications for tissue healing timeframes, prognoses, and rehabilitation. Considerations for pelvic physical therapy examination and evaluation in this population will be discussed along with evidence-based interventions for symptom management. 

Learning Objectives

After completion of this seminar, participants will be able to do the following with confidence:

1. Describe anatomical differences between cisgender men and women and the relationship to urinary incontinence  
2. Identify treatment options available to individuals with prostate cancer  
3. Understand differences and commonalities between Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (RALP) & Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) procedures and implications for involved tissues, healing timeframes, and patient prognoses 
4. Discuss the role of physical therapy in the treatment of urinary incontinence following Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (RALP) & Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) procedures

About the Presenters

Kaitlin Knox, PT, DPT, WCS, CAPP-Pelvic

Katie completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Vermont with dual degrees in education and Latin and earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of New England. Katie went on to complete a Pelvic Health Residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, is a board-certified Women’s Health Clinical Specialist, and has received CAPP-Pelvic Certification. She serves as a full-time staff therapist and clinical faculty member in the Pelvic Health Residency program at Johns Hopkins Healthcare System in the greater Baltimore area. Katie works closely with the providers at the Brady Urologic Institute and Johns Hopkins Oncology Department to provide pre and post prostatectomy rehabilitation to optimize patient outcomes and enjoys treating all manner of pelvic health pathologies across the gender continuum.  

Madeline Urban PT, DPT, WCS, CAPP-Pelvic 

Maddy earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 2020. Following her degree, she went on to complete her Women’s Health Residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She has been CAPP-Certified Pelvic Health clinician since 2021 and a Board-Certified Women’s Clinical Specialist since 2022. She currently acts as Pelvic Health Service Line Lead, Clinical Specialist, and Women’s Health Residency Coordinator at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Maddy is involved in the Johns Hopkins Urology Department and works to improve access to care for the peri-operative population. She treats patients of all genders and is active within the Academy of Pelvic Health and the Academy of Leadership and Innovation. She has served as a lab assistant for a variety of the Academy’s pelvic health courses. Her teaching experience extends to the Maryland Chapter of the APTA where she provides continuing education on the topic of transgender care in physical therapy clinics. She has also assisted in instructing the Women’s Health course for the George Washington University's DPT program since 2021. 

Event Details

Virtual Pop-Up: Pelvic PT & Prostate Cancer Care

September 16-18, 2025

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