The Effect of Foot Anthropometric Measurements on Pain and Functional Disability of Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women

Abstract

Background: Weight gain during pregnancy, loosening of the foot ligaments with the release of relaxin hormone, anthropometric and biomechanical changes can be seen in the foot with the growing fetus. It was aimed to determine whether these changes that occur during pregnancy cause painful musculoskeletal problems by altering the proximal structures of the lower extremities and the structure of the spine.

Methods: Within the scope of this study, 210 women, half of whom are 3rd trimester of pregnancy (in the 28-40 weeks), aged between 18 and 40, with similar demographic characteristics are evaluated through measuring their navicular drops, hallux valgus angles, foot widths, foot lengths and tibial-calcaneal angles of both feet. Foot Function Index for foot-ankle, Kujala Patellofemoral Score for knee, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for hip, Oswestry Disability Index for waist and Modified Neck Disability Index for neck were used to determine pain and functional limitation.

Results: In this study, pain and functional disability in the waist, hip, knee, foot-ankle joints, navicular drops, hallux valgus angles and tibial-calcaneal angles were found to be significantly higher in pregnant women compared to the control group (P=0.00). It was observed that pain and dysfunction in all joints increased as navicular drop increased in both pregnant and nonpregnant women. In addition, it was determined that the increase in other anthropometric measurements in both groups caused pain and functional disability in most of the women, especially in the foot and ankle joints. However, the cause of joint pain and functional deficiencies was not related to pregnancy.

Conclusions: It was observed that foot deformities and proximal region complaints were significantly higher in pregnant women, and foot deformities caused more foot-ankle pain and disability in both the study and control groups. No difference was observed in pregnant women with the control group.