Distribution of the McKenzie Syndromes and pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy-related back pain

Abstract

This study investigated the distribution of the three McKenzie syndromes and pelvic girdle pain (PGP) among participants with pregnancy-related back pain (BP) attending some selected medical facilities. The aim was to determine if pregnancy-related BP can be classified into the three McKenzie syndromes and also to find out the distribution pattern of PGP among the participants.

Participants were recruited into the study consecutively and were assessed using the McKenzie assessment protocol and pelvic girdle pain provocative tests. Participants with low back pain (LBP) or high back pain (HBP) were classified into the three McKenzie syndromes and those with PGP were classified according to their pain site. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at 0.05.

The participants with HBP had the lowest mean age (26.2 ±5.6 years). There was a significant difference in the mean age of the participants across the three BP groups (F = 3.9525; p = 0.0199). Among the participants with LBP, derangement syndrome constituted 95.7% and postural syndrome 4.3%. All the participants with HBP had derangement syndrome. Bilateral pain was present in 62% of the participants with PGP.

Derangement syndrome was predominant among participants with LBP and HBP while bilateral pain presentation is prevalent among the participants with PGP.

It is recommended that the McKenzie approach should be promoted and used in the physical assessment of women with pregnancy-related back pain.

Keywords: McKenzie syndromes, pelvic girdle pain, pregnancy-related back pain