Abstract
Background
There are many anatomical and hormonal changes during pregnancy that could cause changes in gait patterns leading to musculoskeletal pain. The purpose of this study is to distinguish weight-related effects from structural and functional changes of the lower extremities.
Materials and methods
The data were gathered by measuring the plantar pressure distribution using a novel EMED in-ground measurement plate. Thirty-nine subjects were examined with at least one measurement that was taken during pregnancy. Twenty-four subjects were willing to participate in a measurement postpartum. For further comparison, the results of a control group of 35 healthy, nonpregnant women of comparable age were included.
Results
Remarkably, the gait patterns remained almost unchanged during pregnancy. Considerable changes that were observed in the kinetic parameters were related to the weight effect in nearly every case. Distinct morphological changes were observed among a number of subjects presenting with increased foot pronation, a decreased height of the longitudinal foot arch, and a slight decrease in heel pressure. These changes were not substantial and in no way a regular occurrence.
Conclusion
The substantial weight gain during pregnancy is compensated almost exclusively by a proportional increase of the muscle force to maintain an unchanged gait pattern. Considering the complexity of cerebral and spinal control processes and their interactions, this is not surprising. Preexisting pathologies of the feet are expected to become aggravated during pregnancy.
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Conflict of interest
The study was funded and supported exclusively by the clinic within which the work was undertaken. There was no external funding to this study. There were no companies involved to the study to avoid any financial interest.
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Mitternacht, J., Klement, A. & Lampe, R. Plantar pressure distribution during and after pregnancy. Eur Orthop Traumatol 4, 229–236 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12570-013-0173-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12570-013-0173-7