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Pelvic Girdle Pain (Pregnancy-Associated)

Jeremy Golding, FAAFP, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Persistent musculoskeletal pain localized from the level of the posterior iliac crest and gluteal fold over the anterior and posterior elements of the bony pelvis

  • May radiate across h...

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is mainly based on history, physical exam, and excluding other more serious pathologies. 

HISTORY

  • Stabbing, dull, shooting, or burning pain located at the general area of the pelvic ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Activity modification with rest, physical therapy, and symptomatic care are generally accepted as the safest options for both antepartum and postpartum patients. Efficacy rem...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • In most cases (up to 93%), pain will resolve spontaneously by 6 months postpartum.

  • High levels of pain during pregnancy and during the first 6 months postpartum indicate a poor ou...

REFERENCES

1
Liddle SD, Pennick V. Interventions for preventing and treating low-back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(9):CD001139. PMID: 26422811.
2
Sward L, Manni...

ADDITIONAL READING

SEE ALSO

Daly JM, Frame PS, Rapoza PA. Sacroiliac subluxation: a common, treatable cause of low-back pain in pregnancy. Fam Pract Res J. 1991;11(2):149-59. PMID: 182931...

CODES

ICD10

  • O26.899 Oth pregnancy related conditions, unspecified trimester

  • M53.3 Sacrococcygeal disorders, not elsewhere classified

  • M25.559 Pain in unspecified hip

SNOMED

  • 433017009 Pain in symphysis pubis...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • PGP is common in pregnancy and can result in significant disability.

  • The PGQ and pain provocation tests can aid providers with establishing the diagnosis of PGP.

  • Exercise, activity modif...

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