Short-Term Effect of “Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy” in the Management of Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Abstract

Introduction: Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) is a familiar nociceptive source of Low Back Pain (LBP). Patients with SIJ pain commonly present with tenderness around the Posterior Superior Iliac Spine (PSIS) which can be recorded by using pressure pain algometer. Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) is a manual therapy technique which uses repetitive movements to assess and treat the dysfunction. MDT is found to be effective in treating SIJ pain; however, its effect on Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) is not yet determined. Aim: To determine the effect of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy on Pain Pressure Threshold in Sacroiliac Joint pain. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 subjects with unilateral LBP of age group 20-65 years participated in the study. Subjects with the direction of preference, pain around the PSIS, positive on two out of four pain provocation tests were included in the study. These patients were given 30 repetitions of either anterior or posterior rotation of the innominate, for four sessions. PPT and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to measure the effect of treatment. Data were analysed by using paired t-test. Results: There was a significant improvement seen (p<0.01) in PPT and VAS after four consecutive sessions of treatment. Conclusion: A significant statistical difference was seen in PPT and VAS with p-value <0.01 at the end of four sessions of MDT treatment. The study suggests that MDT can be used effectively in managing SIJ tenderness around the PSIS and pain. However, future studies should focus on comparing MDT with a control group or with other manual therapy techniques.

Keywords

• derangement
• mckenzie
• pain pressure threshold
• physiotherapy management