The Relationship Between Lower Extremity Alignment and Low Back, Hip, and Foot Pain During Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Study of Primigravid Women Versus Nulliparous Controls

Objective: To determine whether changes in foot anthropometry during pregnancy are related to low back, pelvic, and foot pain. Study Design: Repeated measures. Background: Anthropometric changes of the foot and lower extremity pain have both been reported in pregnant women. However, a relationship between these occurrences has not yet been investigated. Methods and Measures: This study took place at a University Human Performance Lab. Fifteen primigravid women were recruited during their first or second trimester. Measurements were taken during each trimester, as well as postpartum. Fourteen nulliparous weight-matched controls were also recruited. Control women had measurements taken once. At each visit, measures of foot length, foot width, arch height index, arch rigidity index, arch drop, rearfoot angle, and pelvic obliquity were taken. Musculoskeletal pain was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale. Results: Across all subjects, arch rigidity index was positively correlated with low back and foot/ankle pain and arch drop was negatively correlated with low back and foot/ankle pain. In pregnant women, change in some measurements from the second to third trimester was also related to pain. Conclusions: Arch flexibility may be related to pain in the feet, legs, and low back. Furthermore, changes in lower extremity alignment during pregnancy may be related to musculoskeletal pain experienced by pregnant women. Health care practitioners should consider looking at foot and ankle measures when treating pain in pregnant women.