Pubic Joint Dysfunction and Symphyseal Diastasis: A Novel Biomechanical and Treatment Model

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this article is to bridge research from orthopedic trauma to obstetric symphyseal diastasis (SD) also to discuss pubic joint dysfunction (PJD), introducing new models (NM) of both. Pubic joint dysfunction presents with pain and purported hypermobility (at times subjectively defined, other times objectively shown with x-rays etc.). In contrast, symphyseal diastasis (SD) is severe pain and complete rupture with separation of the symphysis pubis (SyP), objectively identified on x-ray, (fig. 1, 4) CT scan (figs. 2, 3), MRI and ultrasound. When chronic, both PJD and SD are poorly understood painful disabilities in women, which are inadequately treated. To quote, “The persistence of symptoms in our patients emphasizes the need for careful examination and follow-up of these rare injuries... the outcome in our patients was poor (diastasis) and results in the literature are equivocal...” 1