Pelvic Girdle Pain, Rectus Diastasis
Conditions
Brief summary
This comparative observational study investigates the impact of delivery mode vaginal delivery versus cesarean section on the prevalence and severity of three postpartum musculoskeletal complications: coccydynia, pelvic girdle pain (PGP), and rectus diastasis (RD). Conducted on postpartum females aged 20-40 years within 6 weeks to 6 months after childbirth, the study aims to highlight musculoskeletal outcomes often overlooked in standard postpartum care.
Detailed description
A total of 73 participants were selected through non-probability sampling from rehabilitation centers and home-based postpartum populations in Lahore. Pain intensity and musculoskeletal impairments were assessed using validated tools: the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for coccydynia, Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ) for PGP, and finger-width palpation technique for RD. The data collection involved both self-reported questionnaires and clinical assessments by trained professionals. The goal is to identify how delivery mode influences musculoskeletal health and to support the development of more tailored physiotherapy interventions and postpartum care strategies.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALImpact of Delivery Mode
investigates the impact of delivery mode vaginal delivery versus cesarean section on the prevalence and severity of three postpartum musculoskeletal complications: coccydynia, pelvic girdle pain (PGP), and rectus diastasis (RD). Conducted on postpartum females
Sponsors
Superior University
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
20 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Postpartum females aged 20-40 years * Females who delivered via vaginal delivery or cesarean section * 6 weeks to 6 months postpartum period * Willingness to participate and provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Females with a history of pelvic or spinal surgery prior to pregnancy * Known cases of pre-existing musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., scoliosis, chronic back pain) * Multiple pregnancies (twins or more) in the current or previous delivery * Postpartum complications unrelated to delivery mode (e.g., sepsis, trauma)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Analog Scale | 6 Month | A 10 cm horizontal line marked from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Scoring: The participant marks a point on the line that best represents their pain intensity. The score is measured in centimeters from the no pain end. Higher scores indicate more severe pain. |
| Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ) | 6 Months | Contains 25 items divided into two domains: activity limitations (20 items) and symptoms (5 items). Scoring: Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (0 = not at all, 1 = to a small extent, 2 = to some extent, 3 = to a great extent). Scores are summed, converted into a percentage of the maximum possible score. Higher percentages reflect greater pelvic girdle pain and disability. |
Countries
Pakistan
Outcome results
None listed