A case-control study of clinical characteristics and risk factors of symptomatic postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis

Postpartum Pubic Symphysis Diastasis: A Case Report

We present the case of a 25-year-old African American female patient (G1P0) with a past medical history of brain arteriovenous malformation repair, pneumonia, and a urinary tract infection who was admitted to the labor and delivery floor at 39 weeks for a spontaneous vaginal delivery of a 4.025 kg female baby. In the immediate postpartum (PP) period, the patient presented with severe pelvic pain and trouble ambulating. Conservative management of oral non-narcotic analgesics was initiated until the diagnosis of PP pubic symphysis diastasis (PSD) was made. Due to the persistence of pelvic pain, the patient underwent a pubic symphysis joint steroid injection and was discharged on day 8. Within 24 hours of discharge, the patient was readmitted to the emergency department with severe pain and an inability to walk. Her pain was managed conservatively with intravenous narcotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, which quickly dissipated the pain. She was observed and discharged once she reported improvement in pain, and she was reassessed five days later at her obstetrician's clinic. In the clinic, the patient presented with mild tenderness in the pubic symphysis region but demonstrated improvement in her antalgic gait with an ability to walk and urinate without difficulty. Despite a lack of follow-up imaging, the patient was reassured that her PSD and associated tenderness should completely resolve within three to four months.

Postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis resulting in a prepubic abscess and osteomyelitis

Postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis (PSD) refers to an abnormal widening of the pubic symphysis after delivery. It is a rare and underdiagnosed condition that causes severe pain and can be complicated by osteomyelitis and abscess formation. This article reports a case of a para 4 woman in her 30s with postpartum PSD after vaginal delivery who presented with a prepubic abscess. Multimodal treatment consisted of incision and drainage, physiotherapy and prolonged antibiotic treatment.

Peripartum Pubic Symphysis Diastasis

Importance

Peripartum separation of the pubic symphysis is a rare but potentially severe complication of childbirth, which may lead to prolonged immobilization. Thus, prompt diagnosis and treatment are paramount.

Objective

The purpose of this review is to define peripartum separation of the pubic symphysis and provide a thorough review of its etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic imaging techniques, management, and prognosis.

Evidence Acquisition

This was a literature review using PubMed and Google Scholar.

Results

Peripartum pubic symphysis separation is defined as disruption of the pubic symphysis joint and ligamentous structures with greater than 1 cm of separation during delivery. Risk factors include fetal macrosomia, nulliparity, and precipitous labor. Patients often present with a sensation of something "giving way" in the pubic symphysis area at the time of delivery, or with severe pain in the pubic symphysis region with attempted mobilization postpartum. In severe cases, associated hematomas, pelvic fractures, sacroiliac joint disruption, and urinary tract injury may be seen. Imaging such as x-ray or ultrasound may be used to confirm the diagnosis. Although most patients recover well with conservative management, orthopedic surgical intervention may be indicated in more severe or unresolved cases.

Conclusions and Relevance

Pubic symphysis separation is increasingly identified peripartum due enhanced accessibility and utilization of imaging modalities. It can be debilitating and lead to prolonged immobility postpartum. Therefore, early recognition and diagnosis are important, as this can guide decision-making for management. A multidisciplinary team approach, including coordination with obstetrics, orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, and occupational therapy should be used for early detection and treatment to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Clinical Presentation and Management of Peripartum Pubic Diastasis

Background

Symphysis pubis diastasis (SPD) is an uncommon peripartum complication which can have short-term morbidities secondary to pain and restricted movements as well as long-term complications. It is important to diagnose this condition as it causes significant discomfort to the nursing mothers. We present our experience in five patients with SPD who were managed successfully.

Methods

Present study is an observation of five cases of SPD managed in a single unit in a tertiary care center over three years from January 2017 to December 2019. All women with symptoms of SPD with inter-pubic distance of more than 10 mm were selected for the study. The demographic profile, clinical details, diagnostic imaging findings, and treatment provided for such patients were noted down from the individual case records. Follow-up of each patient for improvement in the symptoms and X-ray findings was available till 3 months for each case.

Results

Mean age of the women with SPD was 29.8 ± 5.4 years. Four women had vaginal delivery and one had vacuum delivery. Average birth weight is 3.26 ± 0.85 kg. Mean duration of first stage of labor is 6.6 ± 0.89 h and median of second stage is 35 min. Average inter-pubic distance at the time of diagnosis on X-ray was 1.84 ± 0.2 cm. All women were managed conservatively with bed rest, analgesics, pelvic binder and physiotherapy. Improvement in the range of movement was noted over average of 21.8 ± 3.7 days and symptoms resolved over 14.4 ± 2.6 weeks.

Conclusion

Treating obstetrician should be aware of this condition as simple treatment measures can avoid the long-term morbidities and complications.

Peripartum Pubic Symphysis Diastasis-Practical Guidelines

Optimal development of a fetus is made possible due to a lot of adaptive changes in the woman’s body. Some of the most important modifications occur in the musculoskeletal system. At the time of childbirth, natural widening of the pubic symphysis and the sacroiliac joints occur. Those changes are often reversible after childbirth. Peripartum pubic symphysis separation is a relatively rare disease and there is no homogeneous approach to treatment. The paper presents the current standards of diagnosis and treatment of pubic diastasis based on orthopedic and gynecological indications.