Anorectal Manometry
What is Anorectal Manometry?
Anorectal manometry is a diagnostic procedure that evaluates how well the muscles and nerves in the anus and rectum are working together for bowel movements and continence. It measures resting and squeezing pressures, rectal sensation, reflexes, and coordination.
Who Might Need Anorectal Manometry?
This procedure is often ordered for patients with symptoms such as chronic constipation, fecal incontinence, and pelvic or anorectal pain in order to better understand the problem and how to treat it. Patients may also require anorectal manometry as a pre-operative assessment if their upcoming surgery might affect anal sphincter muscles or the pelvic floor.
Why Are Anorectal Manometry Tests Ordered & How Are They Helpful?
A provider generally orders an anorectal manometry exam to determine a patient’s anorectal health and strength in order to identify the underlying cause of their symptoms, such as chronic constipation or pelvic pain.
Anorectal manometry tests are typically ordered when a patient exhibits symptoms including:
Chronic constipation, especially when standard treatments haven’t worked
Fecal incontinence or leakage
Uncomfortable sensations, like incomplete emptying, straining, or a need to push strongly
Suspected pelvic floor dysfunction
Pelvic or anorectal pain
Pre-operative assessment of sphincter function, if surgery might affect anal sphincter muscles or the pelvic floor
Anorectal manometry tests can help:
Identify whether the sphincter or pelvic floor muscles are weak
Determine if the sphincter or pelvic floor muscles relax appropriately
Assess rectal sensation
Detect abnormal reflexes, such as the rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR)
Find out if coordination between the rectum and anal muscles is abnormal
Guide therapy, including biofeedback, pelvic floor physical therapy, and surgical options
What Happens During the Appointment?
At Denver Colorectal, we offer quick and efficient anorectal manometry procedures. We use high-resolution manometry, which allows for a more sensitive assessment, and enables better localization of abnormalities for more precise treatment planning.
Our balloon expulsion testing is combined with high resolution anorectal manometry. Balloon expulsion testing measures the ability to expel a small balloon (often filled with water or air) from the rectum, which simulates trying to pass stool and helps assess whether there is difficulty in evacuation, also called dyssynergia.
Our anorectal manometry procedure is outpatient and does not require sedation, so after the quick twenty-minute procedure, you are able to drive yourself home.
Schedule Anorectal Manometry
Contact us through an email or a call. If your provider has sent an order for testing, our team will schedule an appointment with you and send over any initial paperwork. If you have questions about how this could help you, we can schedule a consultation to discuss. Arrive for your in-person appointment and resume your normal activities and diet right away
