Jul 2026· The Healer Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences· 0 citations· 13 references
TL;DR
The findings highlight the importance of routine use of validated SIJ provocation test clusters together with pain and hip/lumbar ROM assessment to facilitate timely diagnosis and targeted management in patients with LBP.
Abstract
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting more than 540 million people. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) is a well-recognized yet frequently underdiagnosed source of LBP, with a reported prevalence of 13–48% among patients with LBP. However, evidence regarding the prevalence and associated factors of SIJD in the Pakistani population remains limited. Objective: To determine the prevalence of sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) among patients with low back pain (LBP) and evaluate its association with demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, sex, occupation, pain intensity, and hip and lumbar range of motion (ROM). Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over four months (March–June 2025) at two rehabilitation centres and community settings in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Using purposive sampling, 377 patients with LBP aged 18–45 years were recruited. SIJD was diagnosed when at least three of five validated sacroiliac joint provocation tests (FABER, distraction, compression, Gaenslen’s, and thigh thrust) were positive. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), disability using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and hip and lumbar ROM were measured using a goniometer and an inclinometer. Associations were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of SIJD was 23.6% (89/377). The prevalence was significantly higher among males than females (28.1% vs. 16.3%; χ² = 7.30, p = 0.007). No significant associations were observed with age (p = 0.940) or occupation (p = 0.791). Significant associations were identified between SIJD and pain severity (χ² = 66.14, p < 0.001), hip extension (χ² = 202.26, p < 0.001), hip internal rotation (χ² = 121.96, p < 0.001), hip external rotation (χ² = 51.94, p < 0.001), and lumbar forward flexion (χ² = 97.62, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Approximately one-quarter of patients with LBP had SIJD. It was more common among males and was associated with greater pain severity and reduced hip and lumbar ROM. These findings highlight the importance of routine use of validated SIJ provocation test clusters together with pain and hip/lumbar ROM assessment to facilitate timely diagnosis and targeted management in patients with LBP.
Background: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is a common musculoskeletal condition among postpartum women due to hormonal, biomechanical, and physiological changes during pregnancy and childbirth. Increased ligament laxity, altered posture, weight gain, and pelvic instability may contribute to sacroiliac joint dysfunction. This condition often leads to pelvic girdle pain, low back pain, and functional limitations that affect daily activities such as walking, sitting, standing, and childcare. Objective: To determine the prevalence of sacroiliac joint pain and assess the level of disability among postpartum females in Sialkot. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 postpartum women aged 20-40 years from public and private hospitals in Sialkot. Non-probability convenience sampling approach was employed. Sacroiliac joint pain was assessed using clinical provocation tests including FABER, compression, and distraction tests. Pain intensity was measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and functional disability was evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Clinical provocation testing demonstrated positive SIJ pain provocation in 84.0% (n=252) of acute postpartum participants, with severe functional disability observed in 46.0% (n=138). Most women reported moderate pain (74.7%), while 20.7% experienced severe pain. According to the ODI, 46% of participants had severe disability, 37.7% moderate disability, 10.7% minimal disability, and 5.7% were classified as crippled. Conclusion: Sacroiliac joint pain is highly prevalent among postpartum females and is associated with considerable functional disability. Early screening and physiotherapy-based rehabilitation may help reduce pain and improve functional outcomes. Keywords: Sacroiliac joint pain, Postpartum women, Pelvic girdle pain, Functional disability, Oswestry Disability Index.
H. Sattar, M. H. Bari, M. Munir· medRxiv· 0 citations
Low back pain at MTRH affects middle-aged females with high BMI, was chronic and mechanically aggravated, and high index of suspicion is required to make accurate clinical diagnosis.
S. L. Chepchumba, Barry R. Ayumba, K. Agwata· British Journal of Healthcar...· 0 citations
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of pain, functional limitation, and reduced quality of life. Women engaged in household work may experience knee symptoms during middle adulthood. This study aimed to determine the proportion of self-reported knee pain among women engaged in household work in Sukkur and examine its association with quality of life.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 384 women aged 35-57 years in Sukkur. Participants were recruited through non-probability convenience sampling from households and the Physical Therapy Outpatient Department of Hidayat Hospital. Quality of life was assessed using a modified SF-36, and pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) within a structured questionnaire. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. No clinical examination or radiographic assessment was documented to confirm knee osteoarthritis.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 45.4 ± 6.5 years. Of 384 participants, 151 (39.3%) reported study-defined knee pain. Pain-intensity data were available for 150 participants, of whom 100 (66.7%) reported mild pain, 35 (23.3%) moderate pain, and 15 (10.0%) severe pain. Participants reporting knee pain had significantly lower quality-of-life scores than those without reported knee pain (25.21 ± 6.75 vs 30.11 ± 7.73). The mean difference was -4.90 (95% CI, -6.41 to -3.39), t(382) = -6.37, p < 0.001, with a standardized mean difference of 0.67. Quality-of-life scores did not differ significantly across reported pain-intensity categories (F(2,146) = 2.55, p = 0.082).
Conclusions: In this convenience sample, 39.3% of participants reported knee pain, and reported knee pain was associated with lower quality-of-life scores. Because the sample was selected using non-probability convenience sampling and included outpatient participants, this proportion should not be interpreted as a population prevalence estimate for all women in Sukkur. In addition, because no clinical or radiographic diagnostic criteria were documented, the findings refer to self-reported knee pain rather than confirmed knee osteoarthritis.
Muskan Feroz Mangi, Karam Wassan, Murk Jamali et al.· First Workshop on Insights f...· 0 citations
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of musculoskeletal disabilities worldwide. Psychosocial and behavioral factors contribute to the transition from acute pain to chronic disability, and public beliefs regarding LBP may influence treatment outcomes and functional statuses.
Objectives: To assess public beliefs regarding LBP in Saudi Arabia using the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ), evaluate disability among participants with persistent LBP using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and examine the association of these measures with demographic characteristics.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia between December 2019 and December 2020. A total of 4,052 participants were recruited, of whom 850 submitted incomplete questionnaires and were excluded from the subgroup analyses. The remaining participants completed the Back Beliefs Questionnaire to assess their demographic characteristics and beliefs regarding LBP. Participants with persistent LBP symptoms for > 6 weeks completed the Oswestry Disability Index. The associations between beliefs, disability, and demographic variables were analyzed using chi-square tests.
Results: The population demonstrated a combination of evidence-based beliefs and persistent misconceptions regarding LBP. Most participants recognized the benefits of exercise and rejected highly pessimistic beliefs, such as inevitable wheelchair dependence or the inability of doctors to help them. However, many participants believed that LBP would result in lifelong pain and functional limitations. Persistent LBP was reported by 41.7% of the respondents. Among the affected individuals, most had minimal (44.3%) or moderate (25%) disabilities. Significant associations were observed between beliefs and disability levels, as well as between beliefs and demographic variables, including age, educational level, and occupation (all p < 0.05). Participants with more negative beliefs regarding the long-term consequences of LBP demonstrated higher levels of disability.
Conclusion: Public beliefs regarding LBP in Saudi Arabia are influenced by misconceptions that may contribute to disability. These findings highlight the importance of evidence-based public education and awareness strategies that address the psychosocial aspects of LBP management.
Faisal Sukkar, Badr E Hafiz, Thamer Alsharif et al.· Journal of Spine Practice· 0 citations
Objective:
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of side sleeping and its association with shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS).
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2024 and October 2025 among patients with chronic shoulder pain attending Ahad Rufaidah Hospital in Aseer Province, Southern Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using the medical records and patients with musculoskeletal disorders, orthopedic metastatic cancer, or traumatic shoulder pain were excluded.
Results:
Among 110 participants (mean age 43.9±15.1 years; 52.7% male), 82.7% had chronic diseases (diabetes 37.3%, hypertension 33.6%). Side sleeping was reported by 75.5% of participants, but there was no significant relationship with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) scores, the side on which pain was felt, or the specific location of the pain. In contrast, a longer duration of pain was linked to older age (p-value≤0.012), the presence of chronic diseases (p-value≤0.010), diabetes (p-value≤0.004), hypertension (p-value≤0.030), the fetal sleeping position (p-value≤0.030), and short sleep duration (less than 6 hours, p-value≤0.024). Patients who underwent surgery had significantly lower pain (median 21 vs. 30, p-value≤0.004) and disability scores (median 25 vs. 45.5, p-value
F. Asiri, Almotheby Abdullah, A. Asiri et al.· International Journal of Med...· 0 citations
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a frequent clinical complaint in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS); however, its prevalence is inconsistently reported, and its impact remains poorly characterized. This cross-sectional nationwide survey aimed to determine the proportion of pwMS who report CLBP and examine its association with self-reported disability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes. A total of 1,106 pwMS completed surveys assessing disability (Patient Determined Disease Steps; PDDS), and HRQoL outcomes. Pain location was assessed using the Michigan Body Map, which asks participants to indicate all body regions where they have experienced persistent or recurrent pain for at least last three months. Based on selection of the lower back region, 49.5% (95% CI: 46.5%-52.4%) were classified as having CLBP. Greater disability was associated with higher odds of CLBP in pwMS (OR=1.21, 95% CI [1.02-1.44], p=0.02). Compared to those without CLBP, pwMS with CLBP had significantly higher pain intensity (B=2.9 [2.08-3.8], p<0.001), pain interference (B=3.9 [2.9-4.9], p<0.001), anxiety (B=.08[0.9-3.2], p<0.001), depression (B=1.9 [0.7- 3.1], p=0.001) and fatigue (B=2.4 [1.4-3.5], p<0.001), as well as lower perceived cognitive function (B= -1.79[-2.8- -0.7], p=0.001). There were no significant associations between presence of CLBP and sleep disturbance (B=0.26, p=0.38), physical activity level indexed by Godin-Shephard leisure-time physical activity questionnaire (OR=0.81, p=0.13) or sedentary behavior indexed by one-day sitting time duration (B=0.09, p=0.95). These findings highlight the high proportion and significance of CLBP in pwMS. PERSPECTIVE: The high proportion and substantial burden of chronic low back pain among pwMS warrant a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of existing management strategies to optimize care and improve patient outcomes.
Abbas Tabatabaei, Jacob J Sosnoff, Anna L. Kratz· Journal of Pain· 0 citations