The immediate effects of pelvic compression belt with a textured sacral pad on the sacroiliac function in pregnant women with lumbopelvic pain: A cross-over study

Numerical analysis of the effects of padded pelvic belts as a treatment for sacroiliac joint dysfunction

BACKGROUND: Pain related to the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) accounts for low back pain in 15%–30% of patients. One of the most common treatment options is the use of pelvic belts. Various types of pelvic belts exist; however, the mechanisms underlying treatment and their effectiveness remain unclear to date. OBJECTIVE: To analyze stress distribution in the pelvis when a pelvic rubber belt or a padded pelvic belt is applied, to assess the effectiveness of treatment from a numerical biomechanical perspective. METHODS: The pressure distribution at the pelvic belts was measured using a device and subsequently modeled with the finite element method of a pelvis with soft tissues. The stress environment when wearing a pelvic belt in a double-leg stance was simulated. RESULTS: With the application of pelvic belts, the innominate bone rotated outward, which was termed an out-flare. This caused the SIJ to compress and cause reduction in sacrotuberous, sacrospinous, interosseous, and posterior sacroiliac ligament loading. Padded pelvic belts decreased the SIJ displacement to a greater extent than in pelvic rubber belts. CONCLUSION: Pelvic belts aid in compressing the SIJ and reduce its mobility.

The Efficacy of Lumbar Support on Pain, Disability, and Motor Control in Women With Postpartum Pelvic Girdle Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Pregnancy-related posterior pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is one of the most important clinical manifestations of postpartum back pain. Those affected often complain of discomfort during daily activities. It is hypothesized that altered motor control is associated with perceived pain. Pelvic support can regulate possible underlying altered motor control mechanisms and decrease pain. However, the influence of a lumbosacral orthosis, which is broader support that allows for a wider contact area and more skin sensory stimulation to restore proper motor function, has not yet been investigated in women with postpartum PPGP.

Objective

This study investigates the efficacy of broader lumbar support and narrower pelvic support on pain, proprioception, disability, and muscle strength in women with pregnancy-related PPGP.

Methods

This study will be a single-center, 3-armed, participant-blinded, randomized controlled trial. In total, 84 women diagnosed with pregnancy-related PPGP will be recruited and randomly assigned into 3 groups. Intervention groups A and B will receive pelvic and lumbar supports, respectively. Group C (control) will receive only a patient education leaflet containing advice on strengthening exercises, comfortable positions, and other practical information. The study outcomes are pain, effort score during the active straight leg raising test, maximum isometric hip flexion force, maximum isometric hip external rotation force, maximum isometric trunk rotation force, and joint position reproduction of hip abduction. The study outcomes will be measured at 4 time points: baseline (T1), immediately after the intervention (T2), 4 weeks following interventions began (at this time, the intervention period is completed) (T3), and 1 week after discontinuing the interventions (T4) to evaluate the possible lasting effects of wearing supports. Multivariate analysis of variance will be used to test between- and within-group differences.

Results

Recruitment for this study will be started in summer 2022 and is expected to be completed by the end of fall 2022.

Conclusions

This study will examine the efficacy of broader lumbar support as an early rehabilitative treatment for women receiving postpartum posterior pelvic pain support compared to those receiving a narrower pelvic support. We expect the broader lumbar support to impact pain management and disability better than the current narrower pelvic belt. Long-term follow-up studies will help determine whether such lumbosacral orthosis reduces pain and improves daily activities in women with pregnancy-related PPGP.

Trial Registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20150210021034N11; https://www.irct.ir/trial/54808

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/40553