Arthur Stein

The Relationship Between Gynecology and Orthopedics

Summary The role of gynecologic affections as a cause of lumbosacral pain has been considerably overestimated. Within recent years roentgenologic and pathologic studies of the vertebral column and pelvis have contributed greatly to our knowledge concerning the etiology of backache. It has been shown that incorrect posture, asthenia, obesity, and in fact any condition which causes undue stretching and thinning of the musculature of the abdominal walls, pelvic floor and spinal column, with dragging on the ligaments, will produce more or less lordosis and a shifting of the body weight to points not designed to support it, with resulting fatigue and pain. Skeletal abnormalities, arthritis, trauma, and various bone diseases are now recognized as important causes of lumbosacral pain. Endocrine and metabolic dysfunction are probably involved in the production of certain types of arthritis and other diseases of the osseous structures, such as rickets and osteomalacia. By keeping in mind the varied etiology of low back pain the gynecologist may at times avoid surgical attacks on the female generative organs that would inevitably fail to give the desired relief from pain.