Continuing Education Activity

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.

Objectives:

• Describe the typical presenting features of postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis.
• Review the evaluation of postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis.
• Describe the treatment of postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis.
• Describe how enhanced coordination of the interprofessional team can lead to more rapid recognition of postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis and subsequently decrease the time to treatment.

Introduction

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.[1] However, reports of non-physiologic pubic diastasis exceeding that typically required for childbirth (typically greater than 1 cm) 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.[1] The orthopedic surgeon is presented with a difficult decision when managing these patients as the women are high-risk surgical candidates in the peri-pregnancy state and prolonged debility can affect care for their newborn. DIscussions of multiple treatment options in the literature include non-operative treatment with application of pelvic binder coupled with physical therapy and immediate weight bearing, non-weight bearing with bedrest, closed reduction with application of binder, application of anterior external fixator with or without sacroiliac screw fixation, and anterior internal fixation with plate and screws. A multi-disciplinary approach is essential in both early detection and treatment for satisfactory patient outcomes. 

Etiology

Identified risk factors for postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis include primigravid women, multiple gestations, and prolonged active labor.[2] Forceps deliveries, deliveries of newborns weighing over 4000 gm, and infant macrosomia are also possible etiologies in cases of pubic separation [2]; epidural analgesia and shoulder dystocia or McRoberts maneuver are also reported [1].  A review of case reports also notes a higher incidence in Scandinavian women. While increased serum relaxin hormone levels have been identified in women with pubic symphysis diastasis, however, no direct correlation has been proven between these elevated levels and an increased incidence of post-partum separation. Other theoretical causes or predisposing factors for pubic symphysis diastasis include [3]:

• Biomechanical strain of the pelvic ligaments and associated hyper-lordosis; anatomical pelvic variations and "contracted pelvis"
• Metabolic (calcium) and hormonal (relaxin and progesterone) changes leading to ligamentous laxity
• Extreme weakening of the joint
• Tearing of the fibrocartilaginous disc during delivery
• Narrowing, sclerosis, and degeneration of the pubic joint
• Muscle weakness
• Increased pregnancy-related weight gain;
• A very long or a very short second stage of labor

Epidemiology

The incidence of pathologic, complete separation of the pubic symphysis following pregnancy is reported to be within 1 in 300 to 1:30,000, with many instances likely undiagnosed.[4] In a published case series out of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, they reported the incidence at a single institution to be 1 in 569 deliveries over two years. Under-reporting is likely, due to inconsistencies in diagnosis and patients often presenting with mild symptoms and limited debility; MR studies show a high incidence in pubic lesions following vaginal childbirth even in low-risk pregnancies (bone marrow edema, bone fracture, capsule fracture), but they normally tend to recover and are not associated to prolapse or incontinence[5][6][7]

Pathophysiology

Relaxin, a hormone secreted by the placenta during pregnancy, peaks during the first trimester and again peripartum in females.[8] A modulator of arterial compliance and cardiac output during pregnancy, relaxin also serves to relax the pelvic ligaments and contribute to softening of the cartilage of the pubic symphysis for preparation of the birth canal for delivery.[8] As seen in most pelvic ring injuries that separate anteriorly at the pubic symphysis, there is often an associated posterior pelvic ring injury as well, with stretch, partial tears, or complete tears of the sacroiliac ligaments. Complicated deliveries (contracted pelvis, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, a long second stage of labor) are prone to soft tissue (levator anis muscle) and bone lesions due to the stretching forces.

History and Physical

Patients can present with pubic symphysis diastasis before delivery, during delivery, or most commonly postpartum. The postpartum presentation is most common, and presentation can encounter delay as spinal epidural anesthesia administered during the birthing process can mask the symptoms. Typical presentation involving pubic symphysis diastasis following pregnancy is unrelenting pain in the anterior pelvis and suprapubic region, with or without pain localized over the sacroiliac joints from associated posterior pelvic ring ligamentous injury. Pain from the anterior pelvis can radiate and manifest in the hip joints and radiate down the legs. Patients will often have extreme difficulty with weight bearing and can retain urine often requiring the use of an indwelling Foley's catheters.

Patients will have difficulty with both active and passive straight leg raise and changes in bed positioning. On physical examination, patients will often present in distress secondary to pain, pain with palpation or attempted manipulation of the pelvic girdle, and pain with attempted weight bearing or ambulation. The literature describes soft tissue edema or hematoma on the pubis and perineum,[9] as well as a palpable gap in the pubic symphysis in several case studies.[4] The literature does not describe associated nerve and vascular injury.

Evaluation

When postpartum pubic diastasis is suspected clinically, an ultrasound scan can be diagnostic and used for screening,[10] but then a standard AP pelvis radiograph should be obtained. On the evaluation of plain film imaging, pubic symphysis diastasis greater than 1 cm indicates a pathologic process of the pelvic girdle.[11] The bilateral sacral iliac joints should also undergo evaluation on plain radiography for gapping or gross separation. A CT with a three-dimensional reconstruction is also helpful in the further evaluation of the pubic symphysis and sacral iliac joints. If plain radiographs show a significant pubic separation greater than 4 cm, treatment algorithms support obtaining non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to assess for surrounding soft tissue injury.[12]

Treatment / Management

Treatments described for pelvis diastasis include non-operative treatment with application of pelvic binder coupled with physical therapy and immediate weight bearing, non-weight bearing with bedrest, closed reduction with application of binder, application of anterior external fixator with or without sacroiliac screw fixation, and anterior internal fixation with plate and screws. In most cases, conservative, non-operative management is recommended and yields good functional outcomes. While early operative management has been advocated in cases where pubic diastasis measures more than 4 cm, the patient is at increased risk for perioperative complications in the postpartum state. Distorted pelvic anatomy, increased pelvic vascularity, and peripartum hypercoagulability complicates surgical intervention and must be a consideration. 

Differential Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pubic symphysis diastasis is often straightforward, however other causes of hip, back, and leg pain all warrant consideration by the evaluating physician. Considerations include an examination for labial and perianal tears and lacerations, venous thrombus embolisms, musculoskeletal low back pain, and lumbosacral radiculopathy; pubic osteolysis, osteitis pubis, bone infection (osteomyelitis, TB, syphilis), tumors, postpartum fracture, abscess, osteomyelitis have to be considered.[3] A careful history, clinical examination, and ultrasound or plain film radiography can aid in the diagnosis process.

Prognosis

Prognosis is very good for the majority of patients who experience postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis, and in most cases, full recovery without persistent pain is the expectation.[1] Follow-up radiographs in most case studies show near-complete closure of the pubic symphysis and complete resolution of symptoms within 3 months. Some patients did require further physical therapy for up to 6 months. No significant long term sequelae have been identified. No definitive recommendations exist regarding alteration of care for future pregnancies, and this would be a good area for future study.

Complications

Reported complications from pubic symphysis separation during pregnancy are rare. Urinary outflow obstruction, hematoma formation, and sustained painful ambulation are the most common complaints in case studies. Venous thrombus embolism is also reported and likely attributable to prolonged immobilization. 

Deterrence and Patient Education

Women should receive education informing them that PSD is a rare event, but pubic lesions are frequent. Predisposing factors are both fetal, and maternal, mainly due to macrosomia, and pelvic imbalances impairing the childbirth process. Not resolved pelvic lesions from past deliveries or lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy is a preventable risk factor for dystocia[2]

Pearls and Other Issues

PSD occurs spontaneously during complicated deliveries, but symphysiotomy is performed for treatment of obstructed labor and shoulder dystocia in countries where cesarean section is not immediately available, and maternal mortality from cesarean delivery remains high.[[13] A retrospective study shows that it is a safe procedure, confers a permanent enlargement of the pelvic inlet and outlet facilitating vaginal delivery in future pregnancies, and is a life-saving operation for the child; severe complications are rare.[14] Chronic pain during movement or intercourse might result from a residual separation over 2,5 cm.[13]

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

Enhancing outcomes associated with postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis rely on physician knowledge of the injury leading to early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Early imaging studies including ultrasound and a standard AP pelvis radiograph, in cases of sustained or out of proportion pelvic pain following childbirth, should be considered. Interprofessional communication between obstetric and orthopedic physicians is important in early diagnosis. Team-centered patient care including physical medicine and rehabilitation as well as physical and occupational therapy should be utilized to optimize outcomes.