Pelvic Girdle Pain

What is it?

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) causes pain, instability and limitation of mobility and functioning in any of the three pelvic joints.

What are the symptoms of PGP?

A combination of postural changes, the growing baby, unstable pelvic joints under the influence of pregnancy hormones and changes in the centre of gravity can all add to the varying degrees of pain or discomfort. In some cases it can come on suddenly or following a fall or trauma.

PGP can begin as early as the first trimester of pregnancy. Pain is usually felt low down over the symphyseal joint, and this area may be extremely tender to the touch. Pain may also be felt in the hips, groin and lower abdomen and can radiate down the inner thighs. Women suffering from PGP may begin to waddle or shuffle, and may be aware of an audible clicking sound coming from the pelvis. PGP can develop slowly during pregnancy, gradually gaining in severity as the pregnancy progresses.

During pregnancy and postpartum, the symphyseal gap can be felt moving and/or straining when walking, climbing stairs and turning over in bed. These activities can be difficult or even impossible. Pain may remain static, i.e. in one place such as the front of the pelvis producing the feeling of having been kicked, in other cases it may start in one area and move to other areas, you may even experience a combination of symptoms. Any weight bearing activity has the potential of aggravating an already unstable pelvis producing symptoms that may limit the ability for the woman to carry out many daily activities. She will experience pain involving movements such as dressing, getting in and out of the bath, rolling in bed, climbing the stairs and sexual activity. Pain will also be present when lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.

he symptoms (and their severity) experienced by women with PGP vary, but include:

• Present swelling and/or inflammation over joint.
• Difficulty lifting leg.
• Pain pulling legs apart.
• Inability to stand on one leg.
• Inability to transfer weight through pelvis and legs.
• Pain in hips and/or restriction of hip movement.
• Transferred nerve pain down leg.
• Can be associated with bladder and/or bowel dysfunction.
• A feeling of symphysis pubis giving way.
• Stooped back when standing.
• Malalignment of pelvic and/or back joints.
• Struggle to sit or stand.
• Pain may also radiate down the inner thighs.
• Waddling or shuffling gait.
• Audible ‘clicking’ sound coming from the pelvis

What causes it?

Causes

Sometimes there is no obvious explanation for the cause of PGP but usually there is a combination of factors such as:

1. The pelvic joints moving unevenly.
2. A change in the activity of the muscles in the pelvis, hip, abdomen, back and pelvic floor.
3. A history of pelvic trauma.
4. The position of the baby altering the loading stresses on the pelvic ligaments and joints.
5. Strenuous work
6. Previous lower back pain.
7. Previous pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy.
8. Hypermobility, genetical ability to stretch joints beyond normal range.
9. An event during the pregnancy or birth that caused injury or strain to the pelvic joints or rupture of the fibrocartilage.
10. The occurrence of PGP is associated with twin pregnancy, first pregnancy and a higher age

If you believe that you may be suffering pelvic girdle pain make sure that you visit your GP as it is something which will get worse if left untreated.  Since giving birth to my daughter in 2011 I have had physiotherapy and I now have an exercise routine which I must do 3 times a day - it has made a massive difference to my quality of life, strengthening up the muscles around my lower back and pelvic area and has helped ease the pain.

For further information or support check out The Pelvic Partnership.