Pregnancy and Joint Pain/Post Partum
Back Pain
Question: It has been 4 to 5 months since the birth
of my first child and my joints and bones are still hurting.
I first noticed the pain in my hips, back, and feet after
the normal delivery and I am worried that this pain will not
go away. Is there something that I can do to relieve the pain
and are these pains even a normal experience amongst postpartum
or pregnant women?
Dr. Miguel: Due to the increased laxity
of ligaments and tendons during pregnancy secondary to hormonal
changes and the change in gait and exaggerated positions necessary
during the latter stages of pregnancy and delivery, persistent
pains around the hips, even radating down the hamstrings,
may be caused by a sacroiliac joint syndrome...this could
be treated with antiinflammatories and localized heat (alternating
with cold...good reasons to use both)...in stubborn cases,
injections from a board certified pain physician can diagnose
and treat this condition...
In rare instances, pregnancy, menopause, or breast implantation
may affect autoimmune disease prognosis and treatment and
make previous undiagnosed disease manifest. For example, in
pregnancy, Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms generally improve,
whereas those of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus may worsen;
both diseases may worsen after delivery...these diseases can
be rapidly eliminated from consideration with a simple blood
test from your family physician.
In a previous article, you can see a discussion on post-partum
back pain.
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