In plain words
Levator avulsion is the short name for . It means part of a pelvic floor muscle has pulled away from its to the pelvic bone. The muscle helps hold the bladder and rectum in place. This usually happens during a vaginal birth, when the baby's head stretches the pelvic floor. It is more common after births with forceps or a vacuum. Many people do not know they have it unless a scan shows it. It can be linked to leaking urine, a feeling of heaviness, or changes in sensation during sex, but many people have no symptoms. can help some people. The two names describe the same injury, and you may see either one in notes or research.
The deeper version
Levator avulsion is the same clinical finding as levator ani avulsion, detachment of the from the pubic ramus, usually identified on transperineal or endovaginal ultrasound or on MRI. The shorter form is used in some research and clinical notes. It is most strongly associated with operative vaginal delivery and with a , and it changes pelvic floor support and innervation. Reported associations include urinary and anal incontinence, , and , with considerable variation across cohorts. Dietz and Lanzarone (2005) described its frequency after vaginal birth. The controversy concerns whether routine imaging changes management, and whether avulsion predicts symptoms beyond other pelvic floor injury.
Where it comes up
- Returning to exercisePostpartum: Your Body
- Sex after birth: when, pain, dryness, desirePostpartum: Your Body
- Your pelvic floor after birthPostpartum: Your Body
- Prolapse: heaviness, bulging, and what helpsPostpartum: Your Body
What mothers here say about levator avulsion
No one has posted under this term yet.
Sources
- Dietz HP, Lanzarone V — Levator trauma after vaginal delivery. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2005