PS stands for pubic symphysis. WebMD describes it this way: "The left and right bones of your pelvic girdle are joined at the front by a narrow section of cartilage and ligament. This is called the pubic symphysis... As the pelvic bones loosen during pregnancy, the pubic symphysis can temporarily separate. This is not a dangerous condition. But it can be painful."
Um, yeah it can. I'm not terribly worried about it, but I do think the PS is painful this pregnancy in part because my right SI is not moving at all and it's likely compensating for that. The PT gave me some exercises to try to strengthen the area's muscles.
WebMD continues: "A separated pubic symphysis can take 3 to 8 months to heal on its own. For most women with this condition, pain or discomfort lingers for about 2 months after childbirth."
I do hope it ends up resolving on its own. I know some women with SI problems who also have PS problems, because everything down there is connected. Some have even had to have a plate surgically installed to re-join the PS. So, this may or may not be a long term issue. I will report on it as I go, of course.
My recommendation would be to wait until all your hormones are back to normal before making a decision that the PS isn't going back to where it needs to be-every one is different, but I have heard 6 months. So I would say to get past 6 months and not at 6 months to make that decision. And try some P.T. of course for assessing and use of sacroiliac belt. Are you able to use one now at the level of the trochanters like Jerry H recommends? Of course you know I had PS plating-but for very different reasons, but I must say if needed it isn't any worse of surgery as the SI with iFuse. Of course, I am hoping you don't have to worry about that problem at all! Right now it is one day at a time, hope it just disappears on it's own. ;) Valerie
ReplyDeleteThanks Valerie! I am not really worried about short-term pain associated with pregnancy, and I've read it most often resolves itself. What I am most concerned about is doing permanent damage by walking on a mal-aligned pelvis for months and then of course during delivery. Since I have a pre-existing issue with the SI fusion, I fear I am more prone to permanently damaging my PS with torn ligaments, etc. I am using my maternity support belt -- my SI belt always caused more pain than not.
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