A comprehensive radiological case involving musculoskeletal disorders resulting from prolonged labor

Introduction

In the postpartum period, women may experience musculoskeletal disorders due to various reasons [1]. Although lower back pain is more common, pelvic pain, upper and lower extremity pain, and peripheral neuropathies can significantly affect womenʼs quality of life. Many causes, such as hormonal, biomechanical, inflammatory, and infectious, may underlie these clinical findings [2]. MRI is an important diagnostic tool in screening for these problems.

Sacroiliitis may be seen during labor and in the postpartum period due to mechanical factors. This condition is called pregnancy-induced sacroiliitis. It presents with bone marrow edema. However, unlike inflammatory sacroiliitis, this pregnancy-induced sacroiliitis rarely exhibits erosion and fat replacement [3]. Pelvic pain after labor and delivery is called pelvic girdle pain if it is caused by the sacroiliac joint, symphysis pubis, and muscle groups in this area [4].

One of the musculoskeletal disorders seen in the postpartum period is drop foot. If not properly diagnosed and treated, drop foot can have a significant negative impact on quality of life. Drop foot may be due to lumbar radiculopathy, lumbosacral plexopathy, or fibular nerve injury. During labor, the descending fetal head can often damage the lumbosacral trunk part of the lumbosacral plexus. Compression neuropathy of the lumbosacral trunk leads to drop foot [5].

The lumbosacral plexus (LS) is a network of nerves formed by the lumbar plexus (T12, L1–L4) and the sacral plexus (L4–S4) [6] [7]. Patients with LS plexopathy often present with lower back and leg pain. Other peripheral neuropathic symptoms such as numbness, paresthesia, sphincter dysfunction, and motor weakness may also be present [8].

Our case will contribute to the literature, as it includes many conditions, such as pregnancy-related sacroiliitis, lumbosacral plexopathy, and osteitis pubis, in a single case.

Publication History

Received: 15 April 2025

Accepted after revision: 14 August 2025

Article published online:
02 September 2025

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