Post-partum Sacroiliac Joint Pain

After my first child was born, I started having sacroiliac joint pain. My physiotherapist says this can happen after childbirth. The pelvis separates and widens during childbirth. My doctor says it's not possible to have enough movement to cause pain. Who's right?

The SI joint has been a topic of interest in medicine for over 100 years. Hippocrates described pelvic separation during labor. He said it remained so after birth. Other doctors in the early 1900s reported pain coming from the SI joint after childbirth.

The SI joint is a true joint. It contains cartilage and synovial tissue. It's subject to the same age-related degenerative changes as any other synovial joint.

Large studies by well-known spine specialists report that SI dysfunction can be the main source of SI and low back pain. This can happen in women who aren't pregnant.

A recent study from Johns Hopkins University Medical School reported five percent of their SI patients had postpartum instability causing their symptoms. The evidence weighs in favor of your physiotherapist's comments.

Jacob M. Buchowski, MD, MS, et al. Functional and Radiographic Outcome of Sacroiliac Arthrodesis for the Disorders of the Sacroiliac Joint. In The Spine Journal. September 2005. Vol. 5. No. 5. Pp. 520-528.

Thank you for being so professional and genuinely caring!

– J S

I appreciate the thoroughness of this clinic. When I come here I feel my concerns are being heard and treated accordingly..

– B M

Attentive, right on top of everything!.

– S M

I will not hesitate to return or refer friends and family..

– D P

Thanks SO much for all of your help and dedication! Your commitment is so appreciated.

– C L

Thanks a million for helping me. I am gracious for your compassion and extraordinary professionalism.

– M T

My recovery and my confidence in my knee is all thanks to you. I couldn’t have done it without Sport And Spine.

– B S

The team works like a well oiled machine, from start to finish. I’m truly grateful!

– J B
SPORT AND SPINE
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Jim Tsaprailis, PT
1152 London Road
Sarnia, On
519-337-8881
Find out about your injury
or condition. Go there