Changes in Foot Biomechanics during Pregnancy and Postpartum: Scoping Review
Maria Otília Brites Zangão1, Ana Filipa Poeira1,2, Marco Branco3,4,5
1Comprehensive Health Research Centre, Department of Nursing, Higher School of Nursing, University of Évora, 7000-811 Évora, Portugal.
Summary
Pregnancy causes foot biomechanical changes, including alterations in length and volume, that persist postpartum. Further research is needed to confirm if these foot changes increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanical studies
- Pregnancy and postpartum health
Background:
- Pregnancy significantly impacts foot biomechanics, affecting structural stability and gait.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for maternal health and potential musculoskeletal disorder risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively map existing evidence on foot biomechanical alterations during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
- To synthesize current research on how pregnancy influences foot structure and function.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.
- Extensive database searches were performed across multiple academic sources (EBSCO, MEDLINE, BioOne, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, SPORTDiscus, SCOPUS, PubMed).
- Data extraction and narrative synthesis were performed by two independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- Eight studies were included in the final scoping review.
- Evidence confirms that foot length and volume change during pregnancy.
- These foot alterations were found to persist into the postpartum period.
Conclusions:
- Anatomical and biomechanical foot changes are evident during pregnancy.
- These changes may contribute to an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders in pregnant women.
- Additional research is necessary to establish a definitive link between pregnancy-related foot biomechanics and musculoskeletal disorder risk.
