Pregnancy Leads to Lasting Changes in Foot Structure

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netizens

Interesting study on foot morphology passed on in good faith

toeslayer

Segal, Neil A. MD, MS, CSCS; Boyer, Elizabeth R. MS; Teran-Yengle, Patricia PT, MA; Glass, Natalie A. MA; Hillstrom, Howard J. PhD; Yack, H. John PT, PhD Pregnancy Leads to Lasting Changes in Foot Structure American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: March 2013 - Volume 92 - Issue 3 - p 232–240


Abstract

Objective: Women are disproportionately affected by musculoskeletal disorders. Parous women seem to be at a particularly elevated risk for structural and functional changes in the lower limbs. The combination of increased weight on the joints with potentially greater laxity during pregnancy could lead to permanent structural changes in the feet. Although arches may become lax during pregnancy, it is unknown whether the changes persist. The objective of this study was to determine whether arch height loss persists postpartum.

Design: Forty-nine women completed this longitudinal study. Static and dynamic arch measurements were collected in the first trimester and at 19 wks postpartum. Linear mixed models were used to determine whether outcome measures significantly changed overall or by parity.

Results: Arch height and rigidity indices significantly decreased, with concomitant increases in foot length and arch drop. The first pregnancy accounted for the reduction in arch rigidity and the increases in foot length and arch drop. No changes were detected in the center of pressure excursion index.

Conclusions: Pregnancy seems to be associated with a permanent loss of arch height, and the first pregnancy may be the most significant. These changes in the feet could contribute to the increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders in women. Further research should assess the efficacy of rehabilitative interventions for prevention of pregnancy-related arch drop.

 

Great article:

In my practice, pregnant women are foot typed and given preventive care in the form of Foot Centerings and/or muscle engine reactive exercises and shoe wardrobe adjustment during their pregnancy if they type forefoot and/or rearfoot stable or flexible, are overweight or wish to be extremely active during their pregnancy..

Biomechanically, I consider this akin to diabetes exposing itself during pregnancy.

In addition, postpartum, if their feet are collapsed (they have gained one or more shoe sizes) corrective FC care is in order ASAP.

Dennis