|
|
|
« Back
Joint Looseness May Explain Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy
|
Posted on: 12/24/2002
|
Many pregnant women suffer from pelvic pain. For some of them, the pain lasts even after the baby is born. Doctors don't understand exactly what causes it or how best to treat it. This is one of many studies that try to make some headway in understanding pregnancy-related pelvic pain (PRPP).
Hormonal changes during pregnancy loosens the pelvic joints in preparation for delivery. In earlier research, this team of authors found that PRPP seemed to be related to asymmetric laxity of the sacroiliac (SI) joints in the pelvis. The sacroiliac joints are where the blade of the pelvis meets the sacrum, near the bottom of the spine. Asymmetric laxity means that one SI joint was looser than the other.
In this study, 123 women were tested for PRPP. At 36 weeks into their pregnancies, SI joint laxity was measured using a special type of ultrasound called doppler imaging. The women also answered questions about pain and disability and were tested for PRPP. Their pain was rated as "none or mild" or "moderate to severe."
The tests were then repeated eight weeks after giving birth. Most of the women with PRPP had gotten better by then. However, 65 percent of the women who had asymmetric laxity in the first test still had moderate to severe pain. Notably, of those with asymmetric laxity in the first test, only a mere five percent had mild to no pain.
This means there's a definite link between asymmetric SI laxity and PRPP. The authors indicate that laxity of the SI joint during pregnancy makes it three times more likely that the new mother will have moderate to severe PRPP after delivery.
|
References:
Leonie Damen, MSc, et al. The Prognostic Value of Asymmetric Laxity of the Sacroiliac Joints in Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Pain. In Spine. December 15, 2002. Vol. 27. No. 24. Pp. 2820-2824.
|
|
|
« Back
|
|
|
|
*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. |
 | All content provided by eORTHOPOD® is a registered trademark of Mosaic Medical Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Mosaic Medical Group, LLC and used herein by permission. |
|
