Find Relief From Pelvic Pain: Hear the Experts

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

Are you one of the thousands of women suffering from pelvic pain for more than six months? If so, learn how to treat the condition by attending a free Girl Talk: Pelvic Pain program at Silver Cross Hospital.

Join Dr. Nahla Merhi, urogynecologist; Dr. Anthony Rinella, spine surgeon; and Karen Grube, physical therapist with The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago on Wednesday, March 23, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Silver Cross Hospital, Pavilion A, Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox.

Participants will learn about the signs, symptoms and treatment for pelvic pain including endometriosis, orthopedic injuries, pinched spinal nerves, and muscular imbalances. During this panel discussion, women will finally get answers to the questions they been wondering about but were afraid to ask.

Register to attend at www.silvercross.org or by calling 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

What is Pelvic Pain?

Pelvic pain is pain in the lowest part of your abdomen and pelvis. Finding treatment is often difficult, especially for women, because so many possible diagnoses overlap.

“For women the cause of pelvic pain can vary from a reproductive, urinary or musculoskeletal issue,” said spine surgeon, Anthony Rinella, M.D., with Illinois Spine & Scoliosis Center and on the Silver Cross Hospital Medical Staff. “As a result, it is important to seek medical attention from a team of pelvic floor specialists so you can get relief from the pain and improve the quality of your life.”

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is one of the most common medical problems among women. According to the International Pelvic Pain Society, 25 percent of women with CPP may spend 2 to 3 days in bed each month. More than half of the women with CPP must cut down on their daily activities 1 or more days a month and 90 percent have pain with intercourse (sex).

Endometriosis is a painful, chronic issue which occurs in about one in 10 women of reproductive age. It is most often diagnosed in women in their 30s and 40s.

“Endometriosis is a condition in which the type of tissue that forms the lining of the uterus is found outside the uterus,” said urogynecologist, Nahla Merhi, M.D., who is co-director of the Center of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Gynecology at Silver Cross Hospital. “This misplaced tissue develops into growths which can result in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood and tissue, and inflammation causing pain, infertility, and scar tissue formation.”

Pain may also come from your spine, pelvis or hips. Muscular strains can lead to low back and flank pain. Pinched spinal nerves can cause pain, weakness, or numbness in the buttocks or legs. Other orthopedic issues can cause pain in the buttocks, outer hips, or groin.

Treatment Options

There are many treatment options available. For most women, the treatment they choose depends on how much they are bothered by their symptoms. Many conservative treatment options are available including medication and pelvic floor rehabilitation.

“Many patients are amazed at how much physical therapy can help with pelvic pain problems. We treat women of all ages with minimally invasive therapy techniques,” said Karen Grube, physical therapist with The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross.

Finally, some women are bothered by their pelvic pain enough to consider surgery.

“Only you and your doctor can determine what treatment option is best for you. But if surgery is your best option, women should consider robotic surgery,” said Dr. Merhi. “Robotic surgery offers women many potential benefits over traditional open surgery, including: less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and low rate of complications.”

Controlled by a surgeon from a console, the innovative robot is used to make 8mm (1/3 inch) to 12 mm (1/2 inch) incisions and then long, delicate instruments are inserted into the patient that enable specially trained physicians to perform the surgery. The enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control of the robot allows physicians to perform an excellent surgery even for women with complex cases.

About Nahla Merhi, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

Dr. Nahla Merhi, board certified in obstetrics/gynecology and urogynecology, completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Lutheran Medical Central in New York. Dr. Merhi has special interest in treating urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse as well as training in using the surgical robot systems to provide patients quicker and less invasive procedures. She has been treating urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse for more than 12 years. She has performed more than 500 robotic surgeries and more than 200 single site robotic cases. Dr. Merhi has also served as a mentor for robotic surgery, where gynecologists from all over the nation have flown to Silver Cross Hospital to watch her perform robotic surgeries. To schedule an appointment, call her office at Suburban Gynecology at (815) 717-8727, located at Silver Cross Hospital Pavilion A, Suite 375, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox.

About Anthony Rinella, M.D.

Dr. Rinella, board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon, completed his residency at Northwestern University, and a fellowship in adult and pediatric spinal surgery at Washington University in St. Louis. He performs complex adult and pediatric procedures, including scoliosis and revision procedures, in addition to minimally invasive neck and low-back techniques, and workman’s compensation injuries.

Dr. Rinella is the first surgeon in Illinois to receive the prestigious Walter P. Blount Humanitarian Award from the Scoliosis Research Society and University of Illinois Alumni Humanitarian Award for his outstanding work with Global Spine Outreach (www.globalspineoutreach.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps indigent children with complex spinal deformities around the world. To schedule an appointment, call his office at Illinois Spine & Scoliosis Center at (877) 694-7722 in the Silver Cross Health Center, 12701 West 143rd St., Suite 110, Homer Glen or visit www.MyISSC.com.