Anorectal manometry is a specialized test that evaluates how well your anal and rectal muscles are working together to control bowel movements. At Newtown Gastroenterology, our board-certified gastroenterologists provide expert care, ensuring you receive the most accurate and safe diagnosis.
With convenient locations in Elmhurst and Flushing in Queens, Sunset Park in Brooklyn, and Chinatown in Manhattan, our team is ready to help you find answers to your digestive health concerns. Call the office nearest you or book your appointment online today.
Anorectal manometry measures the strength and coordination of the muscles that manage bowel movements. This test helps determine if these muscles are activating and coordinating correctly with your brain, which can be a key factor if you’re experiencing bowel difficulties.
An anorectal manometry test may be recommended if you’re having issues with bowel movements, such as:
• Dyschezia (straining or pain during bowel movements)
• Obstructed defecation (feeling as if stool can’t come out)
• Chronic constipation (hard, infrequent stools)
• Fecal incontinence (difficulty holding stool)
This test also helps evaluate muscle function after surgery or injury or if a chronic condition affects anorectal motility. It’s commonly used to diagnose conditions like:
• Anismus (dyssynergic defecation)
• Hirschsprung disease
• The test can even help guide treatments, using biofeedback to retrain your muscles if necessary.
Anorectal manometry uses a manometer—a pressure transducer—to measure the pressure in your muscle contractions. This device, placed in your anus and rectum, detects if your muscles are activating as they should. A small balloon attached to the device triggers the nerves responsible for the urge to defecate, allowing your healthcare provider to evaluate your reflexes and muscle responses.
Before the test, you’ll need to clear your rectum. Your healthcare provider will guide you on using an enema and advise on fasting to ensure optimal results.
Preparation: You’ll lie on your side on an exam table, dressed in a hospital gown or with clothing removed from the waist down.
Initial Exam: A brief digital rectal exam is done first to check for abnormalities.
Insertion: A lubricated catheter is gently advanced through your anus into your rectum.
Readings and Reflex Tests: The balloon inflates, and pressure readings are taken. Your provider will ask you to squeeze, relax, push, and cough to measure both voluntary and involuntary responses.
The test takes about 30 minutes, although it may vary between 15-45 minutes.
While the procedure may be mildly uncomfortable, it shouldn’t be painful. The catheter and balloon create a pressure similar to normal bowel movements. If you’re concerned about discomfort, talk to your provider about sedation options.
There are no significant risks unless you have a latex allergy, in which case a latex-free option is available.
The results reveal how well your anorectal muscles and nerves work together to control bowel movements. Typical results show whether the muscles and nerves are functioning correctly, including:
• Rectal compliance (stretching ability)
• Rectal sensation (urge to defecate)
• Reflexes in response to stool entry and rectal stretch
• Coordination between the anal sphincters during bowel movements
If abnormal results appear, your healthcare provider can determine where the issue lies and suggest therapies like biofeedback or pelvic floor physical therapy.
Absolutely. Once we identify which muscles are malfunctioning, targeted therapies can help retrain and strengthen them, addressing issues like constipation and incontinence.
To learn more about bowel health and testing, call Newtown Gastroenterology or book your appointment online today.
