Biomechanical characteristics of feet during pregnancy and puerperium: a case study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-6108.2015.1.19688Keywords:
Pregnancy, Foot deformities, Biomechanics, Health, Posture.Abstract
Aims: To evaluate anthropometric variations and distribution of plantar pressure during pregnancy and puerperium.
Case description: In this descriptive exploratory study, a pregnant woman was submitted to eight assessments, six of them during pregnancy (at 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and 36 weeks of gestation) and two in the postpartum period (at 10 and 50 days postpartum). Six foot and ankle anthropometric parameters were assessed. The footprint angle was indirectly obtained by scanning electron microscopy. The Pedar-Mobile (Novel GmbH) system assessed the plantar arch index and maximum peak plantar pressure both statically and dynamically. The right mid-foot length and circumference were larger than those of the left mid-foot during the gestational period. Footprint angle decreased as the gestational period progressed. The plantar arch index in static footprints varied slightly throughout the study period, but it progressively decreased during pregnancy and increased in the postpartum period. The average peak plantar pressure in dynamic footprints was higher during pregnancy than in the postpartum period.
Conclusions: These data reveal changes in the biomechanics of feet during pregnancy and puerperium, indicating an increase in circumference measurement and a reduction in plantar arch.
Downloads
References
Marnach ML, Ramin KD, Ramsey PS, Song SW, Stensland JJ, An KN. Characterization of the relationship between joint laxity and maternal hormones in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2003;101(2):331-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0029-7844(02)02447-X
Ireland ML, Ott SM. The effects of pregnancy on the musculoskeletal system. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2000;(372):169-79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00003086-200003000-00019
Borg-Stein J, Dugan SA. Musculoskeletal disorders of pregnancy, delivery and post partum. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2007;18(3):459-76, ix. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2007.05.005
Segal NA, Boyer ER, Teran-Yengle P, Glass NA, Hillstrom HJ, Yack HJ. Pregnancy leads to lasting changes in foot structure. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2013;92(3):232-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0b013e31827443a9
Butler EE, Colón I, Druzin ML, Rose J. Postural equilibrium during pregnancy: decreased stability with an increased reliance on visual cues. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006;195(4):1104-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2006.06.015
Borg-Stein J, Dugan SA. Musculoskeletal disorders of pregnancy, delivery and post partum. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2007;18(3):459-76, ix. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2007.05.005
To WW, Cheung W. The relationship between weight gain in pregnancy, birth-weight and postpartum weight retention. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 1998;38(2):176-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-828X.1998.tb02996.x
Atalah E, Castillo C, Castro R, Aldea A. Propuesta de um nuevo estandar de evaluación nutricional en embarazadas. Rev Med Chil. 1997;125(12):1429-36.
Institute of Medicine. Subcommittee on nutritional status weight gain during pregnancy. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences; 1990.
Dunn J, Dunn C, Habbu R, Bohay D, Anderson J. Effect of Pregnancy and Obesity on Arch of Foot. Orthopaedic Surgery. 2012;4(2):101-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1757-7861.2012.00179.x
Kac G, D'Aquino BMV, Valente JG. Retenção de peso ao longo de nove meses pós-parto em mulheres residentes no município do Rio de Janeiro: um estudo de seguimento. Cad Saúde Pública. 2003;19(1):149-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2003000700016
Wetz HH, Hentschel J, Drerup B, Kiesel L, Osada N, Veltmann U. Changes in shape and size of the foot during pregnancy [Article in German]. Orthopade. 2006;35(11):1124, 1126-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00132-006-1011-1
Nyska M, Sofer D, Porat A, Howard CB, Levi A, Meizner I. Plantar foot pressure in pregnant women. Isr J Med Sci. 1997;33(2):139-46.
Albino MA, Moccellin AS, Firmento Bda S, Driusso P. Modificações da força de propulsão da marcha durante a gravidez: das alterações nas dimensões dos pés. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2011;33(7):164-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-72032011000700008
Teyhen DS, Stoltenberg BE, Collinsworth KM, Giesel CL, Williams DG, Kardouni CH, Molloy JM, Goffar SL, Christie DS, McPoil T. Dynamic plantar pressure parameters associated with static arch height index during gait. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2009;24(4):391-6 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2009.01.006
Jelen K, Tetkova Z, Halounova L, Pavelka K, Koudelka T, Ruzicka P. Shape characteristics of the foot arch: Dynamics in the pregnancy period. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2005;26(6):752-6.
Karadag-Saygi E1, Unlu-Ozkan F, Basgul A. Plantar pressure and foot pain in the last trimester of pregnancy. Foot Ankle Int. 2010;31(2):153-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.3113/FAI.2010.0153
Gaymer C, Whalley H, Achten J, Vatish M, Costa ML. Midfoot plantar pressure significantly increases during late gestation. Foot (Edinb). 2009;19(2):114-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foot.2009.02.001
Ribeiro AP, Trombini-Souza F, de Camargo Neves Sacco I, Ruano R, Zugaib M, João SM. Changes in the plantar pressure distribution during gait throughout gestation. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2011;101(5):415-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.7547/1010415
Ribas SI, Guirro ECO. Análise da pressão plantar e do equilíbrio postural em diferentes fases da gestação. Rev. Bras. Fisioter. 2007;11(5) 391-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-35552007000500010
Cavanagh PR, Rodgers MM. The arch index: a useful measure from footprints. J Biomech. 1987;20(5):547-51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0021-9290(87)90255-7
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright
The submission of originals to Scientia Medica implies the transfer by the authors of the right for publication. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication. If the authors wish to include the same data into another publication, they must cite Scientia Medica as the site of original publication.
Creative Commons License
Except where otherwise specified, material published in this journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, which allows unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is correctly cited.
