Prophylaxis
Due to the unusual and partly also unphysiological weight distribution during pregnancy, increased pulling and stretching movements in the ISG area can always occur. The main weight of the pregnant woman is at the front, automatically the weight is tried to be shifted compensatory to the back, which causes that the joints of the pelvis and the back are strongly stressed. Most often back pain in pregnant women can be attributed to this reason.
However, most of the complaints can also be controlled well during pregnancy and disappear shortly after birth. The ISG syndrome in pregnancy is in principle treated in the same way as in non-pregnant women. Only the medication should be taken with caution.
For example, the administration of ibuprofen or diclofenac must be avoided during pregnancy. Paracetamol is the drug of choice. Of course, due to the short duration of the disease and the expected complete recovery, surgical measures are not necessary.
Summary
An ISG syndrome is an orthopedic disorder in which excessive pulling or stretching movements and wedging in the joint between the ilium and sacrum cause stress-related pain. Incipient ISG syndromes often only lead to pain after load. However, advanced ISG syndromes can also lead to complaints at rest.
For diagnosis, examination techniques of the orthopaedic surgeon are mainly used to find out at what level the pain is manifested. Classic pain localization of ISG syndrome is the left or right hip area with possible radiation into the back or legs. Rarely an ISG syndrome leads only to pure back pain.
In addition, it is important to conduct a patient survey to find out how long the complaints have existed, whether sports have been practiced, and whether the patient was overburdened with sports before the complaints began. A slipped disc of the lumbar spine should always be included in the possible list of causes and excluded. An imaging diagnosis can be made either with an X-ray or with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI of the lumbar spine or pelvis).
If an ISG syndrome has been diagnosed, there are various treatment options. First, attention should be paid to the application of heat and protection of the joint. Physiotherapeutic measures can be considered.
An anti-inflammatory pain treatment is important and can often lead to an alleviation of symptoms within a very short time. In this case, drugs of the NSAID group, such as ibuprofen or diclofenac, are used. In most cases, the treatment methods mentioned above help.
In a few cases where the pain cannot be relieved or when pain keeps coming back, consideration must be given to orthopedic surgery. In this case, the IS joint is stiffened using a special technique. This prevents the disturbing and painful pulling or shearing movements. Preventive measures are adapted weight, sports and no orthopedic incorrect stress on the joints of the body.
