Postpartum pelvic arthropathy with unusual features.
Eleven patients seen in Malawi are described with a syndrome of postpartum pelvic arthropathy. They complained of severe pain mainly located in the symphysis pubis and all were unable to walk. The following unusual features were noted: the absence of obstetric trauma, a symptom-free interval between the delivery and the onset of the syndrome, the absence of gross widening of the symphysis pubis and the lack of abnormal mobility in the same joint. It is speculated that the syndrome described is not caused by rupture of the symphysis or softening under the influence of hormones but by swelling inside the intact fibrous confines of the joint.
Driessen
F
F
Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Maseru, Lesotho.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010388:Pelvis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000503:physiopathology; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013577:Syndrome