[Pregnancy, low-back pain and pelvic girdle pain]

Prevalence and factors influencing pelvic joint and low-back pain during pregnancy are hereby reported. They can be associated with considerable disabilities as far as daily activities are concerned. They may be reduced by appropriate measures. Disc herniation rarely occurs during pregnancy and can be treated by oral or epidural steroid administration. Surgical intervention is scarcely indicated. In these cases MRI may be used, but only after the first trimester. Though uncommon, osteoporosis leading to vertebral or hip pain and fracture can occur during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women concerned may have a pre-existing bone disease revealed by the physiological bone loss that occurs during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Other factors may influence bone mineral density variation such as osteomalacia, steroid or heparin administration. The relationship between transient osteoporosis of the hip and osteoporosis is discussed. Bone investigations and bone mineral density measurement after delivery are required.