Frequency of Sciatica in Women after Normal Vaginal Delivery in Lithotomy Position

Abstract

Background and aim; Reflex changes, distal motor, and sensory involvement are the primary manifestations of secondary sciatica. Sciatica can be diagnosed with a dural mobility test due to pain sensitivity of dura nerve roots and their sleeves. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of sciatica in women after normal vaginal delivery in the lithotomy positions. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 56 pregnant women with sciatica from March 2020 to February 2021 at Neurology and Gynaecology departments of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. A conventional sampling technique was used for sample and data collection. Ethical approval and consent were taken from all the individuals who met the inclusive criteria. All the pregnant women of age 25-45 years old with multigravida, primigravidas and neuropathy were enrolled in this study. All the women below or above 325-45 years and who had trauma and surgical intervention before conception were excluded. Symptom-based proforma was used for demographic and baseline characterization. SPSS version 20 was used for statistical data analysis. Results: According to the data of 56 multigravida pregnant women, sciatic nerve compression, and involvement during pregnancy in multigravida women. The mean age of all the women was 35.6 ± 5.73 with an age range between 25 years and 45 years. Sciatica mostly occurs in pregnancy 3rd trimester. The muscles weakness, mild function loss, increased weight, bad posture, and poor economic status are sciatica complications. The prevalence of mild muscle weakness, moderate weakness, and severe weakness were 23 (41%), 25 (44.72%) and 8 (14.28%) respectively. The mild function loss or weakness was 39 (70.51%) while moderate muscle weakness was 17 (29.49%). Conclusion: The present study found that in pregnant multigravida women, the commonly involved nerves are the sciatic nerve and median. Compression neuropathies are common in the third trimester of pregnancy. Compression neuropathies are caused by an increase in weight during pregnancy (above 55 kg), a low socioeconomic status, and poor posture. Keywords: Compression neuropathies, Sciatica, Multigravida