POSTPARTUM PUBIC SYMPHYSIS DIASTASIS

Course overview

PUBIC SYMPHYSIS DIASTASIS (PSD) FOLLOWING CHILDBIRTH VIA VAGINAL DELIVERY IS A RARE BUT DEBILITATING CONDITION. WIDENING OF THE CARTILAGINOUS JOINT DURING PREGNANCY BEFORE CHILDBIRTH IS PHYSIOLOGIC AND ASSISTS IN EXPANDING THE BIRTH CANAL FOR SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY. HOWEVER, REPORTS OF NON-PHYSIOLOGIC PUBIC DIASTASIS EXCEEDING THAT TYPICALLY REQUIRED FOR CHILDBIRTH (TYPICALLY GREATER THAN 1 CENTIMETER) CAN LEAVE MOTHERS WITH DEBILITY AND EXTREME PAIN. THE INCIDENCE OF COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE PUBIC SYMPHYSIS IS REPORTED TO BE WITHIN 1 IN 300 TO 1:30,000, WITH MANY INSTANCES LIKELY UNDIAGNOSED. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION, TREATMENT, AND COMPLICATIONS OF POSTPARTUM PUBIC SYMPHYSIS DIASTASIS AND ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR A TEAM APPROACH TO ITS MANAGEMENT.