Planter foot pressures in pregnant women

The physiological changes occurring during pregnancy may be responsible for the faulty foot position leading to backache and lower limb pain. We evaluated the changes in the plantar foot pressures during pregnancy. Twenty-eight, full-term, healthy, pregnant women, average age 28 years, were examined and evaluated clinically, and the planter foot pressure distribution was measured statically and dynamically using the EMED system. Twenty-eight, non-pregnant women, average age 25 years, served as the control group. In the static measurements, the pregnant women had significantly lower maximal forefoot pressures and higher hindfoot pressures than the non-pregnant women. The area of the foot in contact with the measuring pressure plate was greater in the pregnant women than in the non-pregnant women. In the dynamic measurements, the maximal force in almost every area of interest was significantly higher. The total force exerted on the pressure plate at the instant of maximal force of every area of interest during the whole step was higher in the pregnant group. On the medial side of the forefoot there was a slight decrease in the contact time of the maximal force. The peak pressures were higher in the midfoot of both feet and on the lateral side of the right forefoot in the pregnant women. In the medial side of the forefoot, the peak pressures were lower in pregnant women. Conclusions: The pregnant woman has a different pattern of gait. There is an increase of load on the lateral side of the foot and the hindfoot. These changes may be responsible for the musculoskeletal complaints of lower limb pain in pregnant women.