This article reviewed the literature involving lower-extremity changes experienced by women during pregnancy and their respective pathophysiologic causes.
Among the general musculoskeletal effects seen during pregnancy, increased body mass coupled with loosening of the sacroiliac ligaments produce anterior displacement of the centre of mass, which continues to increase throughout pregnancy.
The most commonly observed biomechanical compensatory mechanisms during pregnancy are an increase in stance width of up to 30%, an increase in step time, a decrease in stride length, and a longer stance phase.
Pregnant women also adapt their gait to maximise stability in the stance phase to control mediolateral foot motion.
Offer your Patients a Custom Calibrated Insole with a 98% Patient Satisfaction Rate know more
A considerable amount of pain is often reported in the lower extremities during pregnancy, and this can partly be attributed to faulty foot posture and variations in muscle balance.
The literature shows a general consensus that an increase in foot size is experienced during pregnancy; these changes are more pronounced in women experiencing their first pregnancy.
One of the most commonly observed changes occurring during pregnancy is collapse of the medial longitudinal arch, causing an increase in foot pronation due to increased laxity of the plantar calcaneonavicular ligament and attenuation of the tibialis posterior tendon.
The most notable changes throughout the gestational trimesters were increased total contact area, increases in time of contact at the midfoot and forefoot regions, and reductions in peak pressure and maximum force at the rearfoot at the end of third trimester.
One of the most reported lower-extremity pain symptoms was cramping of the gastrocnemius soleus complex, often lasting several minutes.
There is objective and subjective evidence suggesting better musculoskeletal outcomes throughout pregnancy for women who exercise before pregnancy and remain physically fit during pregnancy.
The authors proposed that the ideal study design on the lower-extremity biomechanical and musculoskeletal changes associated with pregnancy should incorporate a prospective, longitudinal cohort design.
Copyright 2017 MASS4D® All rights reserved.
Offer your Patients a Custom Calibrated Insole with a 98% Patient Satisfaction Rate know more
References:
Rehabilitation of Your Foot and Lower Back Conditions.
Long Lasting Wear
Strong Foot Support
Easy to use
Handmade MASS4D® Quality
FREE EXERCISES
Sign up for free recommended foot exercises, stretching, medical news and everything good for your feet
Please have a a look at our medical reviews and clinical articles on everything about lower biomechanics.
You should always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding personal health or medical conditions.
The content, products and services offered herein, are here to educate consumers on healthcare and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Nothing in the content, products or services should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This site and its services do not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The marks "MASS4D" and the MASS4D logo are trademarks. The content and design of MASS4D.com is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. You may not copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, display, transmit or frame any of these materials without prior written consent from MASS4D®.
Medical Disclaimer
The content, products or services on this site should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Included materials and conversations do not imply a personalised doctor-patient relationship.
Copyright and Intellectual property
MASS4D® is owned and operated by Scheibye General Trading LLC - Licence no: 853463
MASS4D® and Logo are registered trademarks of MASS4D Inc. All content, trademarks, artwork, and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of MASS4D® Inc.