Predictive Factors for Pregnancy-Related Persistent Pelvic Girdle Pain (PPGP): A Systematic Review.

Background and Objectives: To identify the most frequently reported predictive factors for the persistency of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) at 3-6 months after childbirth in women with PPGP alone or PPGP in association with pregnancy-related lower back pain (PLBP). Methods: Eligibility criteria: Two authors independently selected studies excluding PPGP determined by a specific, traumatic, gynecological/urological cause or isolated PLBP and studies that did not include the presence/absence of PPGP as the the primary outcome. We, instead, included studies with an initial assessment in pregnancy (within 1 month of delivery) and with a follow-up of at least 3 months after delivery. Data sources: The research was performed using the databases of Medline, Cochrane, Pedro, Scopus, Web of Science and Cinahl from December 2018 to January 2022, following the indications of the PRISMA statement 2021 and the MOOSE checklist. It includes observational cohort studies in which data were often collected through prospective questionnaires (all in English). Study appraisal and risk of bias: Two independent authors performed evaluations of the risk of bias (ROB) using the quality in prognostic studies (QUIPS) tool. Synthesis of results: An in-depth qualitative analysis was conducted because, due to a high degree of heterogeneity in the data collection of the included studies and a lack of raw data suitable for quantitative analysis, it was not possible to carry out the originally planned meta-analyses for the subgroups. Results: The research process led to the inclusion of 10 articles which were evaluated using the QUIPS tool: 5 studies were evaluated as low ROB and 5 were evaluated as moderate ROB. High levels of pain in pregnancy, a large number of positive provocation tests, a history of lower back pain and lumbo-pelvic pain, high levels of disability in pregnancy, neurotic behavior and high levels of fear-avoidance belief were identified as strong predictors of long-term PPGP, while there was weak or contradictory evidence regarding predictions of emotional distress, catastrophizing and sleep disturbances. Discussion: The impossibility of carrying out the meta-analysis by subgroups suggests the need for further research with greater methodological rigor in the acquisition of measures based on an already existing PPGP core predictors/outcome sets.

Sexuality and mood changes in women with persistent pelvic girdle pain after childbirth: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic girdle pain is a common problem during pregnancy. For most women, the symptoms cease within the first 3-6 months of giving birth, but in some women the pain persists. In this study we investigate the sexuality and frequency of depressive symptoms in women with persistent pelvic girdle pain after childbirth and in healthy women. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study of women with persistent pelvic girdle pain after childbirth and a control group of healthy women. The frequency of depressive symptoms and sexuality were measured using the self-rating version of the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-six women with persistent pelvic girdle pain and thirty-nine healthy women were enrolled. The frequency of depressive symptoms and the total score on female sexuality did not differ between the groups. However, pain during intercourse was more frequent (P < 0.001) in women with persistent pelvic girdle pain and caused them to avoid sexual intercourse frequently (P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression a higher frequency of depressive symptoms was reversely correlated with a lower score on female sexuality (ß = - 0,41, p < 0,001 95% CI -0,6 - -0,22) This association remained after adjusting for obstetric variables and individual characteristics. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms and female sexuality were similar between women with persistent pelvic girdle pain after childbirth and healthy controls. However, pain during intercourse and avoidance of sexual intercourse were more frequent among women with pelvic girdle pain.

'Treatment of the sportsman's groin': British Hernia Society's 2014 position statement based on the Manchester Consensus Conference.

INTRODUCTION: The aim was to produce a multidisciplinary consensus to determine the current position on the nomenclature, definition, diagnosis, imaging modalities and management of Sportsman's groin (SG). METHODS: Experts in the diagnosis and management of SG were invited to participate in a consensus conference held by the British Hernia Society in Manchester, U.K. on 11-12 October 2012. Experts included a physiotherapist, a musculoskeletal radiologist and surgeons with a proven track record of expertise in this field. Presentations detailing scientific as well as outcome data from their own experiences were given. Records were made of the presentations with specific areas debated openly. RESULTS: The term 'inguinal disruption' (ID) was agreed as the preferred nomenclature with the term 'Sportsman's hernia' or 'groin' rejected, as no true hernia exists. There was an overwhelming agreement of opinion that there was abnormal tension in the groin, particularly around the inguinal ligament attachment. Other common findings included the possibility of external oblique disruption with consequent small tears noted as well as some oedema of the tissues. A multidisciplinary approach with tailored physiotherapy as the initial treatment was recommended with any surgery involving releasing the tension in the inguinal canal by various techniques and reinforcing it with a mesh or suture repair. A national registry should be developed for all athletes undergoing surgery. CONCLUSIONS: ID is a common condition where no true hernia exists. It should be managed through a multidisciplinary approach to ensure consistent standards and outcomes are achieved.

Exploring health and illness perceptions to identify the perceived cause of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. A mixed-methods study among primiparous women in The Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is common and considered a multifactorial condition with biomechanical and psychosocial contributions. The patient's perceived cause is an important aspect of illness perceptions, and a strong predictor of self-management and healthcare utilization. It is unknown what causal beliefs primiparae hold regarding PPGP. OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe health and illness perceptions among primiparae towards PPGP and its cause. DESIGN: Exploratory, convergent parallel mixed-methods. SETTING: At the participants' homes. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen primiparae with and without PPGP. FINDINGS: Primiparae with and without PPGP held comparable causal beliefs about PPGP. PPGP was described as the result of hormonal softening and loosening of the pelvis, and failure of the muscular system to compensate for that. Women who experienced similar physical symptoms attributed them differently, leading to different coping strategies. Interestingly, maternal healthcare providers reinforced the unidimensional- and predominantly biomechanical view when women sought healthcare. CONCLUSION: The causal mechanism of PPGP held by the women was not determined by their lived experience. It was primarily based on the concept of inevitable hormonal softening of the pelvis. This biomechanical belief is based on theories that are not in line with current knowledge of PPGP and contemporary pain science, yet they were reinforced by maternity healthcare providers. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Healthcare seeking behavior is influenced by illness beliefs. Maternity healthcare providers may play a key role in providing reassurance and addressing the multifactorial nature of PPGP when providing care and support to pregnant women.

Insomnia and depressive symptoms in late pregnancy: a population-based study.

A population-based questionnaire study of 2,816 women was conducted in week 32 of pregnancy to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for insomnia and depressive symptoms. The Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS) measured insomnia. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) measured depressive symptoms. The prevalence of insomnia (DSM-IV-TR criteria) was 61.9%, and mean BIS score 17.5 (SD = 10.5), significantly higher than among the general population. The prevalence of depressive symptoms (EPDS ≥ 10) was 14.6%. Depressive symptoms were strongly associated with insomnia during late pregnancy, especially with sleep durations <5 or >10 hours, sleep efficiency <75%, daytime impairment, and long sleep onset latency. Pelvic girdle pain and lower back pain was associated with insomnia, but not with depressive symptoms.

Myoelectrical activity of muscles stabilizing the sacroiliac joints before and after the use of elastic tapes in women suffering from Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was the analysis of activity of selected muscles stabilizing the sacroiliac joints in pregnant women suffering from pelvic pain and changes in the pattern in response to the implementation of Kinesio Taping (elastic tape). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen women with Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain and 20 pregnant women without pain in the lumbar-pelvic complex were enrolled into the study. In patients with pelvic pain, the parameters describing the action of the muscles were assessed: before the tape was applied, immediately after application, 3 days into application and 5 days after the cessation of taping. In the control group, the test was carried out one time. The activity of the muscles was measured during extension of the hip from a four-point kneeling position. RESULTS: The gluteus maximus muscle shows higher resting activity values than in the control group, before and after application of the tape as well as five days after the removal of the tape. Before application, the gluteus maximus activates quicker than in the control group while the ipsilateral extensor spinae had a delayed activation when compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The patterns of activation of tested muscles and their action potential values are different in the group of women with pelvic pain compared to the group without pelvic pain. The application of KT in the lumbar region appears to alter the activation of the GM muscle as well as improve activation of IES muscle during hip extension from the four-point-kneeling position.

Women's experiences of pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: to systematically review the available studies which relay the experience of pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain and how this affects women psychologically and emotionally. METHOD: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of the experiences of pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain was conducted for qualitative studies dated between 2005 and 2016. Predefined terms were used to search nine central databases and hand searches of two reference lists of identified studies were carried out. FINDINGS: 614 records were identified, eight studies met the inclusion criteria for review. Pain from pelvic girdle pain impacted on women's daily lives both at home and the workplace. This had a negative emotional and psychological impact on women as it took away their feeling of independence. Women reported feelings of frustration, guilt, irritability and upset at being unable to carry out their normal roles. Pelvic girdle pain also affected the women's sense of identity and ability to care for their children. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Health professionals working with pregnant and postnatal women need to be aware of the anger, frustration and negative emotions resulting from PGP. These women may become socially isolated and there is a risk they could abuse analgesics in attempt to manage the pain especially if they do not have the social support. For women with young children, it is important to be aware of safety issues they face with carrying babies and controlling toddlers. It is therefore important that health professionals recognise PGP as a serious health issue, approach this condition sensitively and refer to appropriate treatment as soon as PGP is suspected.

Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) in pregnancy is a common condition that can cause significant physical disability and has an important psychosocial impact on pregnant women and their families. It is often under-reported and poorly managed by obstetric caregivers, and this can result in poorer outcomes, reduced quality of life and chronic pain. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to discuss the practical assessment and management of PGP in pregnancy. DISCUSSION: Conservative management that includes activity modification, pelvic support garments, management of acute exacerbations, physiotherapy and exercise programs can alleviate symptoms and prevent progression of symptoms. General practitioners are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team to help manage PGP.

Contraction of the transverse abdominal muscle in pelvic girdle pain is enhanced by pain provocation during the task.

BACKGROUND: Understanding of the pathogenesis of pain in the lumbopelvic region remains a challenge. It is suggested that lumbopelvic pain is related to decreased contraction of the transverse abdominal muscles (TrA). OBJECTIVE: To investigate how pain provoked by a task influences TrA contraction during that task. DESIGN: A case-control cross-sectional study. METHOD: We recruited 40 non-pregnant women with persistent pregnancy-related posterior pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and 33 parous women (healthy controls) without PGP. TrA thickness was measured by ultrasound at various levels of bilateral hip adduction, with increments of 20 N from 0 to 140 N. Pain during the tests was registered. RESULTS: After correction for the level of adduction force, TrA thickness increase during pain-provoking tests of participants with PGP was 6.3 percentage points higher than in their pain-free tests (p = 0.01) and 0.91 percentage points higher than in the pain-free tests of healthy controls (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: TrA contraction in PGP is enhanced when a task provokes pain. These results may have consequences for the treatment of persistent pregnancy-related posterior pelvic girdle pain.

Chronic pelvic pain.

Chronic pelvic pain is pain lasting longer than 6 months and is estimated to occur in 15% of women. Causes of pelvic pain include disorders of gynecologic, urologic, gastroenterologic, and musculoskeletal systems. The multidisciplinary nature of chronic pelvic pain may complicate diagnosis and treatment. Treatments vary by cause but may include medicinal, neuroablative, and surgical treatments.

The association between pelvic girdle pain and urinary incontinence among pregnant women in the second trimester.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association among pelvic girdle pain (PGP), urinary incontinence (UI), and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function in pregnant women in the second trimester. METHODS: Fifty-five pregnant women (29 with PGP and 26 without) were enrolled. Urinary incontinence was measured via the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form. Vaginal examination assessed PFM contract-relax patterns and muscle strength. RESULTS: Overall, 51 women (26 with PGP and 25 without) were included in the final analyses. After controlling for PFM muscle strength, women with PGP were significantly more likely to have UI (P=0.03). After controlling for pain status, having little or no PFM contraction was significantly associated with UI (P=0.03). There was no association between PGP and PFM weakness. CONCLUSION: There was an association between PGP and UI and between UI and PFM weakness among the study participants. Lack of PFM weakness in women with PGP during pregnancy may reflect acuity of pain or measurement error.

Comparación de resultados obtenidos en el tratamiento del dolor miofascial de la cintura pélvica con toxina botulínica sola y asociada con lidocaína / Comparison of results obtained in the treatment of the myofascial pain of the pelvic girdle with botulinum toxin alone and associated with lidocaine

Objetivos: entre el 70 y el 85 % de la población adulta sufre de dolor de espalda alguna vez en su vida. El síndrome de dolor miofascial (SDM) ha sido descrito recientemente definiéndose como dolor musculoesquelético no inflamatorio, localizado, desarrollado sin causa aparente, refractario a tratamientos farmacológicos y físicos, y se acompaña de la presencia de puntos gatillos y de bandas tensas palpables en el músculo. Su prevalencia se estima que varía entre un 30 y un 85 %. Los músculos psoas, cuadrado lumbar y piramidal son los más frecuentemente implicados en el SDM de cintura pélvica. Una de las principales alternativas para tratar el SDM es la toxina botulínica tipo A (TB), que actúa en la membrana sináptica en la placa neuromuscular, inhibiendo la liberación de acetilcolina, produciendo relajación muscular y alivio del dolor, aunque, en muchas ocasiones, su efecto no se hace evidente hasta transcurridos varios días. La lidocaína es un anestésico local (AL) tipo amida con duración de acción intermedia que actúa impidiendo la propagación del impulso nervioso disminuyendo la permeabilidad de los canales de sodio. El objetivo de este estudio era comprobar si al añadir AL a ladosis de TB, conseguíamos un acortamiento en el tiempo dela reducción de la EVA y mejoría de la calidad de vida. Material y métodos: el diseño del estudio fue prospectivo, controlado, longitudinal y aleatorizado en el que se ha valorado la evolución de 20 pacientes divididos en dos grupos. Al primer grupo se les administró TB tipo A (grupo T). Al segundo grupo se les trató con TB tipo A y dosis adicional de lidocaína al 2% (grupo TL). Previamente, ambos grupos, habían respondido de forma positiva a un test con infiltración del músculo afecto con lidocaína al 2 %. El seguimiento de los pacientes se hizo secuencialmente a los 3, 7, 15 y 90 días de iniciado el tratamiento. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó un análisis de la varianza, ANOVA, complementada por la prueba de Mauchly para comprobación de la esfericidad y la prueba de Greenhouse-Geisser, con un intervalo de confianza del 95 %, considerando una p<0,05 para establecer diferencias estadísticas. Resultados: hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre la EVA del grupo TL Y TB en la valoración a los tres días, del mismo modo en la evaluación del índice de Lattinen. No hubo diferencias significativas en el resto de valoraciones. En ambos grupos hubo diferencia significativa en la reducción del EVA y mejoría del índice de Lattinen, al principio y final del estudio. Conclusiones: la TXB-A presenta una alternativa al tratamiento de este cuadro cuando la terapia conservadora ha fracasado. Los anestésicos locales producen una relajación previsible, breve y reversible de la musculatura provocada por el bloqueo de la conducción nerviosa en las terminaciones nerviosas, mientras que la TXB actúa en las terminaciones neuronales de la placa motora, impidiendo la liberación de la acetil colina. Su acción la ejercen en lugares distintos y con características diferentes. La acción de los anestésicos locales es casi instantánea y breve, la de la TXB es diferida y duradera en el tiempo, por lo que pueden ser complementarias y agonistas en su efecto final

Objectives: between 70 and 85 % of the adult population suffers from back pain sometime in their life. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) has been described recently and defined as a localized non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain, developed without apparent cause, being refractory to pharmacological and physical treatments, and is accompanied by the presence of trigger points and palpable taut bands in the muscle. Its prevalence is estimated to vary between 30 and 85 %. The psoas, quadratus lumborum and pyramidal muscles are the most frequently involved in the pelvic girdle MPS. One of the main alternatives to treat MPS is botulinum toxin type A (BT), which acts in the synaptic membrane at the neuromuscular junction, inhibiting the release of acetylcholine, producing muscle relaxation and pain relief, although in many cases its effect is not evident until several days have passed. Lidocaine is an amide type local anesthetic with an intermediate duration of action, which act by preventing the propagation of nerve impulses by decreasing the permeability of sodium channels. The objective of this study was to test whether adding LA to the BT dose, we got a shortening in the time of the reduction of EVA and improvement in quality of life. Material and methods: the study design was prospective, controlled, longitudinal and randomized in which we have evaluated the evolution of 20 patients randomly divided into two groups. The first group were given BT A type (group T). The second group was treated with BT A type and an additional dose of 2 % lidocaine (group TL). Previously, both groups had responded positively to a test with lidocaine 2 % infiltration of the affected muscle. Monitoring patients was sequentially to 3, 7, 15 and 90 days of treatment performed. For statistical analysis we used an analysis of variance, ANOVA, complemented by Mauchly test for sphericity check and by Greenhouse-Geisser test, with a confidence interval of 95 %, considering p < 0.05 to establish statistical differences. Results: there was statistically significant difference between group EVA TL and TB in the assessment on the third day, just as in the evaluation of Lattinen Index. No significant differences in the other reviews. In both groups there was significant difference in EVA reduction and Lattinen Index improvement at the beginning and end of the study. Conclusions: BT-A presents an alternative to the management of this condition when conservative therapy has failed. Local anesthetics cause a predictable, short and reversible muscle relaxation caused by blocking nerve conduction in nerve endings, while BT acts on the neuronal endings of the motor plate, preventing the release of acetylcholine. Its action is exercised in different places and with different characteristics. The action of local anesthetics is almost instantaneous and short, the TXB action is delayed and long lasting, so both can be complementary and agonists in their final effect