[Research progress of pubic symphysis diastasis]

Objective

To review the research progress of pubic symphysis diastasis and provide effective reference for orthopedic surgeons in the diagnosis and treatment of pubic symphysis diastasis.

Methods

The anatomy, injury mechanism, treatment, and other aspects of pubic symphysis diastasis were summarized and analyzed by reviewing the relevant research literature at domestically and internationally in recent years.

Results

The incidence of pubic symphysis diastasis is high in pelvic fractures, which is caused by the injury of the ligaments and fibrocartilage disc around the pubic symphysis by external force. The treatment plan should be individualized according to the pelvic stability and the needs of patients, aiming to restore the stability and integrity of the pelvis and improve the quality of life of patients after surgery.

Conclusion

At present, the research on pubic symphysis diastasis still needs to be improved. In the future, high-quality, multi-center, and large-sample studies are of great significance for the selection of treatment methods and the evaluation of effectiveness for patients with pubic symphysis diastasis.

Postpartum Symphysis Pubis Diastasis: A Case Report

The pubic symphysis is a midline, non-synovial joint connecting the right and left superior pubic rami. The joint allows very limited movement of approximately 0.5-1 mm. Under hormonal stimulation during pregnancy, the widening of the symphysis pubis and sacroiliac joints occurs. Pubic symphysis diastasis is defined as the widening of the pubic joint of >10 mm. It is a rare complication of vaginal childbirth for which no gold standard treatment has been defined. Most cases are treated conservatively. A case of pubic diastasis in a 24-year-old G5P2A2L1 following vaginal delivery is reported. Management consisted of simple conservative treatment, which was sufficient in achieving symptomatic relief.

Keywords

case reports; pelvic pain; pubic symphysis diastasis.

Post-partum management of severe pubic diastasis

INTRODUCTION

Pubic symphysis diastasis during pregnancy is a rare complication which can present as pain with ambulation, urinary dysfunction, and pelvic instability. A consensus treatment does not currently exist between surgical and conservative management. The authors present a case of severe pubic diastasis which was successfully treated using a conservative pelvic binder.

CASE REPORT

A 31-year-old female presented with severe lower back pain following the uneventful delivery of her fourth child. On radiograph, a pubic symphysis diastasis of 5.5 cm was noted and she was subsequently fitted with a pelvic binder on post-partum day 3. She experienced a full range of motion and was pain free at six-week follow-up, with a diastasis of 2.1 cm present. At one year and three-month follow-up, the patient presented with a diastasis of 2.4 cm and continued to have full range of motion and mobility.

CONCLUSION

This case contributes to the literature in showing that conservative treatment of pubic diastasis could be considered in cases where separation has exceeded normal physiologic limits.

Peripartum pubic symphysis separation--Current strategies in diagnosis and therapy and presentation of two cases

BACKGROUND

During spontaneous vaginal delivery, pubic symphyseal widening is normal. Common changes are reversible after complication-free birth. However, cases of peripartum symphysis separation are rare. There is no consensus in the literature on how to treat pregnancy-related pubic symphysis separation.

METHODS

This review used a literature-based search (PubMed, 1900-2013) and analysis of 2 own case reports. Studies with conclusions regarding management were particularly considered.

RESULTS

Characteristic symptoms, suprapubic pain and tenderness radiating to the posterior pelvic girdle or lower back, may be noted 48 h after delivery. Pain on movement, especially walking or climbing stairs, is often present. Conservative treatments, such as a pelvic brace with physiotherapy and local interventions such as infiltration, are successful in most cases. Symptom reduction within 6 weeks is the most common outcome, but can take up to 6 months in some cases. Surgical intervention is needed in cases of persistent separation. Anterior plate fixation is offered as a well-known and safe procedure. Minimally invasive SI joint screw fixation is required in cases of combined posterior pelvic girdle lesions.

SUMMARY

Postpartum symphyseal rupture can be indicated with the rare occurrence of pelvic pain post-delivery, with sciatica or lumbago and decreased mobility. The diagnosis is made on clinical findings, as well as radiographs of the pelvic girdle. Conservative treatment with a pelvic brace is the gold standard in pre- and postpartum cases of symphysis dysfunction.

Incidence and risk factors of symptomatic peripartum diastasis of pubic symphysis

This study was undertaken to determine incidence, associated risk factors, and clinical outcomes of a diastasis of pubic symphysis. Among 4,151 women, who delivered 4,554 babies at the Department of Obstetrics of Seoul National University Bundang hospital from January 2004 to December 2006, eleven women were diagnosed as having a symptomatic diastasis of pubic symphysis. We estimated the incidence of the diastasis and identified the associated risk factors. To evaluate the pain relief and reduction of diastasis we followed up the 11 diastatic patients. The incidence of the diastasis was 1/385. Primiparity (P = 0.010) and twin gestation (P = 0.016) appeared as risk factors for diastasis by univairable analysis; and twin gestation appeared to be the only risk factor (P = 0.006) by logistic analysis. Two patients were operated due to intractable pain; and the remaining nine patients were treated conservatively. The diastatic gap decreased to less than 1.5 cm by 2 to 6 weeks after the diagnosis and then remained stationary. At a mean follow-up of 22.1 months (range, 12 to 47 months), five of 11 patients had persistent symphysis pubis dysfunction. Diastasis is more frequent than generally acknowledged. Pregnant women with multiple gestations should be informed about the potential risk of pubic symphysis diastasis.

Symphysial pelvic dysfunction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Symphysial pelvic dysfunction is a condition which develops during pregnancy and may lead to significant morbidity affecting quality of life. While postpartum resolution is common, symptoms may persist for many years. The consequences, specifically disabling pain, are even more detrimental on mothers with a young family. This review summarizes current understanding of the condition, including pathogenesis, risk factors and management.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is no current international consensus on definition, diagnostic criteria, and treatment protocols for symphysial pelvic dysfunction. Discrepancy between the reported rates of prevalence stems from ambiguity in definition and inclusion criteria in reported studies. The pathogenesis of the condition is still unclear although numerous theories have been proposed. It is likely to be multifactorial in origin with multiple factors both biomechanical and genetic factors playing an important role. There is also a paucity of information in the literature about the best management strategy.

SUMMARY

There is an urgent need to standardize terminology and define diagnostic criteria for symphysial pelvic dysfunction in order to improve the management and better understand the pathophysiology of this condition.

Post partum diastasis of the pubic symphysis: a case report

The post partum pubic symphysis diastasis is an uncommon disease. It is resposible of acute pelvic pain. It increases when manual pressure is applied to the pelvis in a latero-lateral and antero-posterior direction. The diagnostic test for this condition is an anteroposterior X-ray of the pelvis. Here we present a case following spontaneous vaginal delivery. The conservative treatment is able to obtain good results. If this disease is underestimated the patient can develop chronic pain.

[Two cases of postpartum pubis diastasis mistaken for neurological complications of epidural analgesia]

Two healthy 31- and 34-year-old parturients received uncomplicated epidural analgesia for labor and delivery using standard techniques. Twenty-four and 12 hours postpartum, respectively, they developed severe lower back pain and difficulty moving their lower extremities. At first the symptoms were attributed to neurological complications of epidural analgesia and for this reason the anesthetist was called. Although both women appeared healthy and the neurological examinations were normal, emergency computed tomography scans were performed to rule out spinal compression because of the severity of pain and difficulty of movement. The diagnosis was only established after suspecting pubis diastasis, confirmed by palpation of symphysis gaps of 3 and 2 cm, respectively. Pelvic dysfunction associated with pregnancy and labour is a complication whose incidence varies from 1 in 300 to 1 in 30,000. It presents with severe pain located in the areas supplied by pudendal and genitofemoral nerves. The pain may radiate to the sacroiliac joints and shoot down the buttocks and legs. In the most severe cases it may be accompanied by urinary dysfunction and inability to walk. If the clinical features are not recognized, it can be difficult to differentiate pubis diastasis from severe neurological complications in women who have received a central nervous system block. We report two cases of peripartum pubis symphysis diastasis that were both initially mistaken for neurological complications of epidural analgesia for labor.