digestive disorders
Levator Syndrome
Introduction
Levator syndrome is sporadic pain in the rectum caused by spasm of a muscle near the anus (the levator ani muscle). The cause of the spasm of the muscle near the anus is generally not known. Pain may be brief or may last for several hours. The diagnosis is based on an examination. Treatment includes pain relievers and sitz baths and sometimes physical therapy. The rectum is the section of the digestive tract above the anus where stool is held before it passes out of the body through the anus. The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract where stool leaves the body. (See also Overview of the Anus and Rectum .) Proctalgia fugaxis fleeting pain in the rectum.Coccydyniais pain near the tailbone (coccyx). Both of these disorders are variations of levator syndrome. It is not known why the levator ani muscle spasms. 