Biomechanical changes in women with chronic pelvic pain: a case-control study

Abstract

Purpose. Chronic pelvic pain can influence women's quality of life and activity levels; it can lead to several adverse side effects, such as changes in posture and biomechanical alignment. The purpose of this study was to determine the biomechanical changes that occur in women experiencing chronic pelvic pain, either cyclic or noncyclic. Methods. A case-control study was conducted among 60 females from the Gynecology Physiotherapy Clinic of El-Hosary Women Health Care in 6th of October city. The participants were assigned into 3 groups: cyclic chronic pelvic pain group (A), noncyclic chronic pelvic pain group (B), and normal women group (C). An inclinometer was used to assess biomechanical changes in the angles of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar region; furthermore, a pelvic inclinometer served to measure the pelvic inclination angle. Results. Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant increase in biomechanical variables at the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical angles in group B compared with groups A and C and in group A compared with group C. Moreover, there was a significant increase in right and left pelvic inclination angles in groups A and B compared with group C, and no significant difference was observed between groups A and B. Conclusions. Biomechanical alignment changes are seen more frequently in women with noncyclic chronic pelvic pain and cyclic chronic pelvic pain than in normal women.