Pelvic Girdle Flashcards

1
Q

What are big ligaments in the pelvis (anterior and posterior views)?

A

Iliolumbar, anterior sacroiliac, sacrospinous, and sacrotuberous ligaments
Posterior view: iliolumbar, posterior sacroiliac, dorsal sacroiliac, sacrotuberous, sacrospinous

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2
Q

What muscles are in layer one of the pelvic floor musculature?

A

Bulbospongiosus, ischiocavernosus, superficial transverse perineal

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3
Q

What muscles are in layer 2 of pelvic floor musculature?

A

Sphincter urethrae, compressor urethrae, deep transverse perineal

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4
Q

What muscles are in layer 3 of pelvic musculature?

A

Iliococcygeus, puborectalis, pubococcygeus (elevator ani)

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5
Q

What are last two muscles of pelvic floor muscles?

A

Coccygeus and obturator internus

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6
Q

What is posterior musculature of the pelvis?

A
Gluteus max, med, min
Pisiformis
Obturator internus and externus
Quadratus femoris
Adductor magnus, long us
Hamstrings
Gemelli
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7
Q

What is anterior musculature of the pelvis?

A
Psoas
Iliacus
RA
External/internal obliques
TA
Adductor longus/brevis
Gracilis
TFL
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8
Q

What are the “core” muscles?

A

Pelvic floor
TA
Multifidus
Diaphragm

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9
Q

What is importance of the “core” muscles?

A

Control intra-abdominal pressure

Important for proper body mechanics, breathing, and voiding

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10
Q

What is function of pelvic floor muscles?

A

Supportive: helps support organs and forms bottom of the core
Sphincteric: controls openings of urethra, rectum, and vagina
Sexual: orgasms, arousal, and relaxation
Stability: assist in stability of SI, pubic symphysis, lumbosacral, and hip joints
Sump-pump: venous, lymphatic pump

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11
Q

What are joint characteristics of the SI joint?

A

Synovial, hyaline cartilage on sacral side, fibrous cartilage on ilial side, fibrous/synovial joint capsule, L shaped

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12
Q

What are bones of the pelvic girdle?

A

Bony pelvis, sacrum, spine, two femur bones

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13
Q

What are the sacral biomechanics?

A
It is self locking
Greater the WBing tighter it's held
Moves in sagittal plane mostly, but can move in all 3 planes
Moves as effect of hip and lumbar mvmt
Somewhere between 2-12 degrees
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14
Q

What happens in nutation?

A
Transverse axis
Base moves inferiorly and anteriorly
Apex and coccyx moves superiorly and posteriorly
Ilia rotate in
Ischial tuberosities separate
Lumbar spine extends
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15
Q

What happens in counternutation?

A

transverse axis
Base moves superiorly and posteriorly
Apex and coccyx move inferiorly and anteriorly
Lumbar spine flexes

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16
Q

What is innominate movement?

A

Ant-post direction together or opposite
Frontal plane motion around sacrum
Bicondylar joints; one can move anterior while other goes posterior (still meets rule of bicondylar joints)

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17
Q

What is anatomy and biomechanics of pubic symphysis joint?

A

Not synovial
Cartilagenous
Moves very little: 1-2 mm

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18
Q

What is biomechanics of pelvis during gait?

A
Swing phase (L): sacrum rotates R and lumbar spine rotates opposite
Heel strike (L): L piriformis contracts, sacrum rot L
Pubis moves cephally at heel strike on same side
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19
Q

What contributes to stability of SI joint?

A

Force and Form Closure

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20
Q

How is force closure achieved?

A

neuromuscular control
TrA, Multifidus, pelvic floor, and diaphragm
Anticipates movement

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21
Q

What is a good way to test force closure?

A

single leg stance, ASLR

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22
Q

How is form closure achieved?

A

ligamentous support, wedge shape/design of joint and weight bearing forces

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23
Q

What are dysfunctions of pelvic floor musculature?

A

Weakness

Hypertonus

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24
Q

What does weakness of pelvic floor muscles lead too?

A

incontinence, LBP, joint instability, prolapse, pelvic congestion, muscle imbalance

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25
Q

What does hypertonus of pelvic floor muscles lead to?

A

pelvic and low back pain, sacroiliac and hip imbalances, incontinence, voiding dysfunctions, constipation, pelvic congestion

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26
Q

What is clinical presentation of core muscle weakness?

A

Leaking urine (with sneeze, cough, activity, strong urge)
Voiding dysfunction (weak stream, hesitant stream, stops midstream, not empty completely, going too frequently)
Heavy feeling in perineum or abdomen
Pelvic, LB, SIJ, Hip pain
Poor posture
Poor force closure of SIJ, poor stability of lumbosacral region

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27
Q

Someone walks into your clinic and reports leaking urine, problems with going to the restroom, and heavy feeling in abdomen. You also notice they have poor posture. What might be their diagnosis?

A

Core muscle weakness

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28
Q

What are risk factors for core muscle weakness?

A
Pregnancy and child birth
Persistent heaving lifting
Being overweight
Changes in hormone levels at menopause
Lack of general fitness
Chronic or prolonged coughing
Pelvic or abdominal surgery
Constant stress i.e. young athletes
Muscle imbalances
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29
Q

What is clinical presentation for hypertonus dysfunction?

A

Pain in back, perivaginal, rectal, lower abdomen, coccyx, or posterior thigh
Vulvar or clitoral burning
Testicular, scrotal, penile pain or burning/tingling
Pain with intercourse, defecation, sitting, tampons
Incontinence or voiding dysfunction
Constipation
Poor posture, poor stability of lumbo-sacral region
Overuse of large, global musculature weakness of core system
Hip joint decreased ROM and/or joint play

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30
Q

Someone comes into your clinic and c/o constipation, incontinence, pain in coccyx and rectal area, and scrotal pain. You find they have poor posture and decreased hip ROM. What is possible diagnosis?

A

Hypertonus of pelvic floor muscles

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31
Q

What are risk factors for hypertonus?

A

Direct fall on butt, coccyx, or pubic bone
PFM tightening (stress, habit, crossing legs)
Abdominal and pelvic adhesions
Episiotomy or tearing with childbirth
Pelvic, abdominal, hip, or back surgery
Connective tissue disease (fibromyalgia)
History of sexual abuse
STDs, or recurrent perineal infections (yeast)
Muscle imbalances
Pregnancy/childbirth
Treatment for cancer

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32
Q

Where is pelvic girdle pain located and possible factors for it?

A

Pain in one or more of joints of pelvic girdle: symphysis pubis, lumbosacral joints, sacroiliac joints, hip joints
Possible factors include hormones, biomechanics, trauma, inadequate motor control and stress of ligamentous structures

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33
Q

Do women get pelvic girdle pain?

A

20% of pregnant women and 5-8% of women post partum experience pelvic girdle pain
Women with PGP show 32-68% more motion in pelvic joints than healthy controls

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34
Q

What is clinical presentation of pelvic girdle pain?

A

Sudden or insidious onset
Typically 24-36 weeks gestation, post partum
Pain posteriorly at SIJ/gluteal area, symphysis pubis, groin, perineum, posterior thigh
Lack specific nerve root distribution, but often have positive neural tension tests
Difficulty getting up from sitting, rolling in bed, sitting for prolonged periods, prolonged walking, dressing and carrying, climbing stairs, single leg stance

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35
Q

A women comes to your clinic and reports sudden pain in her gluteal area, difficulty sitting/walking for a long time, and walking stairs. She is pregnant. What is a possible diagnosis?

A

Pelvic girdle pain

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36
Q

What are risk factors for pelvic girdle pain?

A

History of previous LBP/PGP or pelvic trauma
Multiparous
Little evidence for any others

37
Q

From articles, what are signs and symptoms for someone with SIJ pain?

A

SIJ: butt, posterior thigh/calf, unilateral SI, lumbar pain; eased with walking; L2-S2 referred pain; ipsilateral increase in erector spinae tone, swelling over dorsal aspect of sacrum, pain changed by torsion

38
Q

From articles, what are signs and symptoms for someone with iliosacral pain?

A

Subcostal pain, 12th rib pain, groin pain, SI pain, piercing hip pain, pain with cough/sneeze

39
Q

From articles, what are signs and symptoms for someone with pubic symphysis pain?

A

Leg feels heavy, dull ache groin/posterior thigh or calf, burning heel pain, sit to stand on opposite side dysfunction, rolling in bed is painful, step up on unaffected side, “shuffle” in gait

40
Q

Someone comes in with butt, posterior thigh/calf, unilateral SI, lumbar pain; eased with walking; L2-S2 referred pain; ipsilateral increase in erector spinae tone. What do they have?

A

SIJ pain

41
Q

Someone comes in with Subcostal pain, 12th rib pain, groin pain, SI pain, piercing hip pain, pain with cough/sneeze. What do they have?

A

Iliosacral pain

42
Q

Someone comes in with Leg feels heavy, dull ache groin/posterior thigh or calf, burning heel pain, and “shuffle” in gait. What do they have?

A

pubic symphysis pain

43
Q

What is history of someone with pelvic girdle pain?

A
Parity and previous childbirth history
Previous LBP/PGP
Previous pelvic trauma/musculoskeletal trauma
Aggravating movements
Easing positions/pain reduction techniques
Social/emotional history
Nutritional
Exercise
General health history
44
Q

What is history/important factors regarding DD (differential diagnosis)

A
Trauma/injury to bone or skin
Recent infection
Immunocompromised
Radiation treatment
Over/under weight
Oral contraceptives
HRT
Inactivity
Chemical exposure
Female athlete triad
Cancer
Spine disc injury, or stenosis
Recent surgery (C section)
Diabetes
Edema
Pain, tenderness
Warmth, fever
Severe LBP, numbness
Changes in bowel/bladder
Prior D&C
45
Q

What is differential diagnosis for pelvic girdle pain?

A
Bone or soft tissue infections
UTIs
Femoral vein thrombosis
Obstetric complications
Bone or soft tissue tumors
Cauda equine syndrome
Lumbar disc lesion
Hip joint pathology
46
Q

What changes happen in pelvic girdle during pregnancy?

A

Changes in rib angle to more perpendicular
diaphragm is elevated 4 cm, center of gravity is shifted, abdominal wall is distended, core function is limited, hormonal changes create an environment that is very lax

47
Q

What are obstetric complications?

A

Incompetent cervix, HTN, gestational diabetes, multiple gestation, placenta previa/abruption, oligo/poly hydramnios, long term disabilities

48
Q

During therapy what should be closely monitored?

A
BP, HR, RPE
Contractions/hr
Fluid retention
Fluid loss
Vaginal bleeding
49
Q

What should you do if patient does have OB complications?

A

avoid Valsalva
avoid trunk stabilization/ab work
teach patient to self monitor
provide emotional support and education regarding C-section

50
Q

What are general pregnancy concerns for therapy?

A

Supine position for more than a minute or two after first trimester
Gross hypermobility/laxity
Changes in center of gravity
HR below 140 bpm

51
Q

What are contraindications for therapy during pregnancy?

A

Heat over belly

E-stim/US over belly or low back

52
Q

What are good positions for labor and delivery?

A
Positions that minimize movement
Avoid asymmetrical postures
Birthing pool, exercise ball
Upright and forward leaning
Assisted squat
4 point positions
53
Q

WHat does Cochrane review say about women who utilize upright positions during labor?

A

Have shorter duration of first and second stages of labor
Experience less intervention
Report less severe pain
Report increased satisfaction with childbirth experience

54
Q

What are red flags for women after pregnancy? (post partum depression)

A
Reports she hasn't slept in 2 or 3 days
Losing or gaining weight rapidly
Cannot get out of bed
Ignoring basic grooming
Seems hopeless
"Children would be better off without me"
Actively abusing substances
Makes strange or bizarre statements
Expresses extreme anxiety or obsession regarding baby's health or safety
Feels inadequate, numb, helpless
Shows lack of feeling for baby or others
Shows or reports inability to care for baby
55
Q

What causes pelvic floor trauma?

A
Position during delivery
Size of fetus
Speed of delivery: pushing too long or short ( 2 hrs)
Forceps/vacuum extraction
Episiotomy or tearing or perineum
56
Q

What problems may be caused from trauma to pelvic floor?

A

Incontinence
Prolapse
Pain: muscle or soft tissue pain, scar pain; pain due to nerve compression injuries; lumbar spine; sacroiliac, coccyx, pubic symphysis joint pain

57
Q

What are the 3 types of incontinence?

A

Stress: leaks with increased abdominal pressure
Urge: leaks with strong urge to go
Mixed: symptoms of both

58
Q

What is diastasis recti?

A

separation of rectus abdominis muscle along the linea alba

59
Q

What are symptoms of prolapse?

A

“falling out feeling”
Difficulty defecating or initiating urination
Strengthening PFM can help, but if it’s true prolapse surgery or pessary are best treatment

60
Q

What is MOI for SI joint?

A
Females
Hormonal changes during pregnancy
Habitual unilateral standing
Childbirth strains
Habitual sleep and sitting postures
Hypermobility
Muscle imbalance/weak stabilizers
Fall on ischium
Direct trauma to pubic bone
Childbirth
Fall onto straight leg
Shear forces in sports (kicking, running)
Excessive hip abd (esp with epidural)
Missed step
61
Q

What is osteitis pubis?

A

inflammatory response at pubic symphysis and ischial rami caused by sustained or repetitive trauma (athletes, surgery, prego) to pubic symphysis

62
Q

What are signs and symptoms of osteitis pubis?

A

Localized pain and tenderness
X-ray findings: sclerosis and demineralization of cortical bone, widening of symphysis; lab behind clinical Sx by several month

63
Q

What happens with pubis symphysis dislocation?

A

Separation of pubic bones anteriorly leads to outflaring of iliac bones, sacrum is less tightly held and can move anteriorly
Treatment: joint alignment, modalities, rest, stabilization (adductors, RA)

64
Q

How does pregnancy cause pelvic pain?

A

Muscles, nerves, joints are injured during pregnancy, labor, and delivery (even with easiest of labors)
PFM are stretched to their max rapidly with fast deliveries or worked to max endurance with prolonged pushing

65
Q

Causes of pelvic pain in the female athlete?

A
Disordered eating
Over-exerciser
Low weight
Irregular menstruation or amenorrhea
Leads to poor bone health
Psychological condition
66
Q

What is endometriosis?

A

Endometrial tissue grows outside uterus
Affects primarily ovaries, bowel, and bladder
Cells act as if they were part of uterine lining and continue to thicken, break down and bleed during menstrual cycle
Inflammation and scarring/adhesions result
Causes pain and can impact fertility

67
Q

What are parts of assessment for pelvic girdle?

A

Alignment of spine and pelvis in all positions
Specific muscle strength and length tests
Palpation: diaphragm, suspect muscles
Posture and body mechanics
Diastasis recti
Functional strength tests
Standing squat: look for pelvic ring/thoracic ring movement
Active SLR
Single leg stance/squat: hip drop, hip IR, knee pronation, foot pronation, trunk flexion=gluteal weakness
SI pain provocation tests
FABER
Palpation of Dorsal Sacroiliac ligament (just below PSIS)
Neural tension: slump, SLR, femoral n, ULTTs (use these tests for exercise; 5-10 reps/day)

68
Q

How do you assess DRA?

A

Test in hooklying
patient lifts head to engage RA
therapist places two fingers above/below umbilicus
If muscle separates to allow 2 or more fingers it is considered a diastasis

69
Q

What is treatment for DRA?

A

Splint the muscles (kinesiotape can be helpful)
Help them find a binder to wear most of the time, especially with activity
Teach how to engage core without RA
Strengthen TA, multifidus, PFM
Coordinate diaphragm with these so they can lift/bend without increasing abdominal pressure

70
Q

How do you treat coccydynia?

A
Body mechanics and posture
Pelvic floor exercises
Positioning
Mobilization
Soft tissue work
Modalities: ice, e-stim, US, taping
71
Q

How do you assess pelvic floor?

A

Systems review, voiding patterns, diet/fluid intake, musculoskeletal exam, external exam, internal exam, surface EMG of PFM

72
Q

What is external exam for pelvic floor?

A

skin integrity, reflex testing, Qtip test for sensitivity, general position of perineum, observe contraction, cough, bear down, and external palpation

73
Q

What is internal exam for pelvic floor?

A
vaginal or rectal
sensation
pain
strength: power (0-5), endurance (1-10 sec), number of reps (1-10), and number of quicks (1-10)
Normal strength is 5/10/10/10
Prolapse, cystocele, rectocele
74
Q

What is surface EMG?

A

External electrodes or internal vaginal/rectal probe

Allows patients to receive auditory and visual feedback on a computer screen

75
Q

What is surface EMG useful for?

A

effective way of teaching use of these muscles which can be difficult to train
Information regarding muscle relaxation and contraction patterns
Immediate feedback to patients

76
Q

What are objective findings for hypertonus dysfunction?

A

Increased tone of PFM
Increased tone of associated mm of hip and trunk
Muscular imbalance and incoordination of hip and trunk
Mobility impairment of scar and connective tissue of perineum, inner thighs, and abs
Diaphragm tightness and poor use
Dysfunction of pelvic joints
Poor posture
Hypersensitivity of perineum

77
Q

What are objective findings with weakness?

A

Poor posture: posterior pelvic tilt and “hangs on ligaments”
Weak and hypermobile hips/spine, or guarded due to pelvic weakness
Weak gluteal muscles
Prolapse
Weak abdominal wall

78
Q

What are the normal bladder habits?

A

Void 5-7 times in a 24 hour period, about every 2-3 hours during the day
Should not have to get up at night to pee (over 65, it’s ok to get up once)
Never have to strain to start flow
Never go “just in case”- trains your bladder that you can’t wait
Shouldn’t ignore the urge to urinate longer than 4-5 hours

79
Q

What are the mechanics of going pee?

A

Bladder is a smooth muscle
As it fills it stretches, the stretch is signal to brain the bladder needs to be emptied
Pelvic floor should contract and send a strong signal to bladder to relax, and the pelvic floor will manage urge until body takes it to the bathroom
When you void, your pelvic floor has to relax and the bladder contracts to empty

80
Q

What are normal bowel habits?

A

1-3x daily or every other day
Consistency 3-4 on Bristol Stool Scale
No straining

81
Q

What are mechanics of poop?

A

Abdominal wall is relaxed but firm
Pelvic floor relaxes and elongates
No breath holding
Use step stool to bring knees about hips

82
Q

What is treatment for pelvic pain?

A

Pain control: positioning, body mechanics/posture, soft tissue massage (deep tissue, myofascial), muscle release (ischemic release, strain/counterstrain, positional release), exercise
Joint mobs/manips
Pelvic alignment and stability program
Patient education

83
Q

What is weakness/stability protocol?

A

Strengthen PFM, abs, and multifidus (make sure they don’t over fire RA, start with prone gluteal work)
Teach diaphragmatic breathing as a tool for stress/pain/hypertonus management
Coordinate pelvic floor with diaphragm and core
Educate about posture
Address an muscle imbalances
Positivity journal

84
Q

What is hypertonus/mobility protocol?

A
Relaxation or "down training" of PFM using biofeedback
Contract/relax to fatigue
Diaphragmatic breathing for stress/pain
Trigger point release/soft tissue mobilization
ANS calming
Stretching exercises
Postural and body mechanics education
Positivity journal
85
Q

What about using SI belts?

A

Use for short time periods
Decreases mobility of joints and provide force closure
Best position below ASIS
Should notice relief of pain and ease of lifting leg either in standing or supine
May aggravate symptoms so use individually

86
Q

What is diaphragmatic breathing technique?

A

Inhale, expanding the abdomen without chest movement: this relaxes/elongates pelvic floor
Exhale, allowing abdomen to fall: diaphragm and pelvic floor recoil back to resting position

87
Q

What are benefits of diaphragmatic breathing?

A
Calms sympathetic nervous system, bringing in parasympathetic nervous system
Lowers HR
Boosts immune system
Decreases inflammation
Boosts happiness
88
Q

What are the things you should write in your positivity journal (positive affect)?

A

Gratitude
Good things that happen each day
Random acts of kindness
Savor the day

89
Q

What makes it easier for women to talk about sexual concerns?

A

Pt has seen practitioner before
Practitioner knows pt, seems concerned about sexual wellness, has professional demeanor, is comfortable, and is kind/understanding