Article

Pregnancy-related low back and pelvic pain is a worldwide problem. A
large proportion of women still experience disabling daily back pain 2 years
after childbirth, resulting in major changes in activities and general
well-being. In spite of this, the source of pain and effective treatment are
uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term effects on function of a single
corticosteroid injection treatment to the ischiadic spine in women with
persistent pregnancy-related pelvic pain (PPPP). METHODS: Thirty-six women were
allocated to injection treatment with slow-release triamcinolone and lidocain or
saline and lidocain, given once at the sacrospinous ligament insertion on the
ischiadic spine bilaterally with follow-up at 4 weeks. Outcome measures were
Disability Rating Index (DRI), self-rated functional health (SF-36), gait speed
and endurance (6MWT), and strength and endurance of trunk muscles (isometric
trunk extensor and flexor tests). RESULTS: Women in the triamcinolone group
showed significantly improved DRI (p = 0.046), 6MWT (p = 0.016), and isometric
trunk extensor tests (p = 0.004), as compared with the saline group. Close
co-variation was shown between improved function and reduced pain intensity.
CONCLUSIONS: Improved function was achieved among women with PPPP after a single
injection treatment with slow-release corticosteroid. The effect was positively
correlated to the reduced pain intensity.

Langue : ANGLAIS