title: Improved function in women with persistent pregnancy-related pelvic pain after a single corticosteroid injection to the ischiadic spine: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnancy-related low back and pelvic pain is a worldwide problem. A large proportion of women still experience disabling daily back pain 2 years after childbirth, resulting in major changes in activities and general well-being. In spite of this, the source of pain and effective treatment are uncertain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the short-term effects on function of a single corticosteroid injection treatment to the ischiadic spine in women with persistent pregnancy-related pelvic pain (PPPP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six women were allocated to injection treatment with slow-release triamcinolone and lidocain or saline and lidocain, given once at the sacrospinous ligament insertion on the ischiadic spine bilaterally with follow-up at 4 weeks. Outcome measures were Disability Rating Index (DRI), self-rated functional health (SF-36), gait speed and endurance (6MWT), and strength and endurance of trunk muscles (isometric trunk extensor and flexor tests).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women in the triamcinolone group showed significantly improved DRI (p  =  0.046), 6MWT (p  =  0.016), and isometric trunk extensor tests (p  =  0.004), as compared with the saline group. Close co-variation was shown between improved function and reduced pain intensity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improved function was achieved among women with PPPP after a single injection treatment with slow-release corticosteroid. The effect was positively correlated to the reduced pain intensity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine Unit, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. thomas.torstensson@pubcare.uu.se
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Torstensson
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lindgren
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kristiansson
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D014221:Triamcinolone; D008012:Lidocaine