How To Cope Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction

Article Written By: wgennie13

Symphysis pubis dysfunction, often shortened to just SPD, is a problem that is often associated with pregnancy and childbirth. In SPD the individual experiences excessive movement of the pubic symphysis which the midline cartilage joint that is beneach the pubic bones. This movement can be anterior or lateral and often it will cause pain and discomfort.

The cause for this is most commonly misalignment of the pelvis and it is associated with pelvic girdle pain – often the two names are used synonymously. It is believed to affect around one quarter of pregnant women to some degree and 7% of these will continue to suffer pain following their childbirth. Interestingly this condition was identified by Hippocrates meaning it has dated back for thousands of years.

However it seems that incidences of SPD have increased over recent years and it is unknown what the cause of this is. One argument is that it is because the average age of maternity is increasing, while others suggest it is just a result of superior diagnosis.

Symptoms

The main symptom is normally discomfort in the pelvic region of course near where the pubic symphysis is located. This is normally felt on the joint or near the front of the pelvis though others say that it affects the lower back. Sometimes there may be an accompanied clicking noise which occurs when they walk or change position. They might also experience pain in the groin, abdomen, lower legs and more.

The severity of the pain ranges greatly, and in some cases it has been correlated with depression as a result of the severity of the discomfort. Usually with the pain comes a reduced mobility which can affect a patient's ability to climb stairs and causing a waddling gait.

Early diagnosis is important in order to minimize the likelihood of a long term condition and worsening. Unfortunately despite the prevalence of the condition not all healthcare workers are familiar with it and it can sometimes go undiagnosed. Usually the diagnosis will occur using the symptoms alone. Usually the mothers will report their pain to a midwife, GP or other professional. It will be necessary to rule out other causes such as lumbar spine problems such as a prolapsed disc or some form of infection.

Treatments

There is no recommendation for a particular treatment. Most treatments will involve giving the patient a pair of elbow crutches which they can use in order to avoid placing weight on their problem area. At the same time they might benefit from pelvic support devices and pain killers. In most cases however the pain will stop immediately after childbirth. In other cases the patient may wish to use an osteopath or chiropractor in order to address the problem through physical manipulation aimed at realigning the area.

In some cases the patients will be given exercises to use at home by their physiotherapist or GP and these involve exercises for the pelvic floor and for core stability.

About the Author

There are lots of conditions parents worry about when pregnant or when they have new born children, such as symphysis pubis dysfunction. Back in my day, all i had to worry about was choosing baby names.

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