Musculoskeletal dysfunction in female chronic pelvic pain

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J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2012 Jan;16(1):50-6. Epub 2011 Jul 6.

A preliminary report of musculoskeletal dysfunction in female chronic pelvic pain: a blinded study of examination findings.

Neville CE, Fitzgerald CM, Mallinson T, Badillo S, Hynes C, Tu F.
Brooks Rehabilitation, Women's Health Rehabilitation, 3599 University Boulevard South, Suite # A-124, Jacksonville, FL 32216, USA. [email protected]

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Female chronic pelvic pain is prevalent and causes disability. Can women with self-reported chronic pelvic pain (CPP) be distinguished from pain-free women by demonstrating a greater number of abnormal musculoskeletal findings on examination?

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, blinded examiners performed 9 physical exam maneuvers on 48 participants; 19 with CPP, and 29 pain-free. Frequency of positive findings between groups, total number of positive exam findings, cluster analysis, and sensitivity - specificity analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Women with CPP presented with significantly more abnormal findings than pain-free women. By using two examination maneuvers, examiners correctly classified women with self-reported CPP from pain-free women 85% of the time.

CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal findings on musculoskeletal exam are more common in women with self-reported CPP. Women with CPP might benefit from a faster time to diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes if a musculoskeletal contribution to CPP was identified earlier.

PMID: 22196427