title: Pelvic belt effects on pelvic morphometry, muscle activity and body balance in patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is frequently involved in low back and pelvic girdle pain. However, morphometrical and functional characteristics related to SIJ pain are poorly defined. Pelvic belts represent one treatment option, but evidence still lacks as to their pain-reducing effects and the mechanisms involved. Addressing these two issues, this case-controlled study compares morphometric, functional and clinical data in SIJ patients and healthy controls and evaluates the effects of short-term pelvic belt application.
  
  
  METHODS
  Morphometric and functional data pertaining to pelvic belt effects were compared in 17 SIJ patients and 17 controls. Lumbar spine and pelvis morphometries were obtained from 3T magnetic resonance imaging. Functional electromyography data of pelvis and leg muscles and center of pressure excursions were measured in one-leg stance. The numerical rating scale was used to evaluate immediate pain-reducing effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pelvic morphometry was largely unaltered in SIJ patients and also by pelvic belt application. The angle of lumbar lateral flexion was significantly larger in SIJ patients without belt application. Muscle activity and center of pressure were unaffected by SIJ pain or by belt application in one-leg stance. Nine of 17 patients reported decreased pain intensities under moderate belt application, four reported no change and four reported increased pain intensity. For the entire population investigated here, this qualitative description was not confirmed on a statistical significant level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minute changes were observed in the alignment of the lumbar spine in the frontal plane in SIJ patients. The potential pain-decreasing effects of pelvic belts could not be attributed to altered muscle activity, pelvic morphometry or body balance in a static short-term application. Long-term belt effects will therefore be of prospective interest.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Applied Kinesiology, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany; Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Odette
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Soisson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Juliane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lube
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Kinesiology, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany.
authors.forename: Andresa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Germano
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist, Osteologist and Pain Specialist, Kirchberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Hammer
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Josten
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Kinesiology, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany.
authors.forename: Freddy
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sichting
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Kinesiology, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Milani
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hammer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001915:Braces; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010388:Pelvis; D004856:Postural Balance; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors