Orthopedic Problems During Pregnancy
Pregnancy puts a great deal of strain on a woman’s body. Whether it’s physical changes, like added weight and swelling, or just the movement of the baby, pregnancy can create and intensify musculoskeletal conditions for many expectant mothers. Orlin & Cohen’s licensed physical therapist Catherine Liang, PT, DPT, and occupational therapist Briana Ardolino, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, explain the most common orthopedic problems during pregnancy, including how to treat and prevent them.
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can occur during any stage of pregnancy, but it’s generally most prominent during the third trimester. Both the weight of the baby and the shift in a woman’s center of gravity can contribute to lower back pain and conditions like sciatica.
Sciatica is the inflammation of the sciatic nerve, a nerve that moves from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. During pregnancy, the baby’s additional weight can put pressure on joints and muscles – inflaming the sciatic nerve.
Common symptoms of sciatica include weakness, numbness, tingling, pain, or a combination thereof that travels along the nerve from the lower back into the feet. Strengthening your back before pregnancy and performing proper postural and core strengthening exercises can prevent back pain and allow for an easier pregnancy.
Related Reading: Learn about the top five causes of back pain.
Pelvic Pain
A strong pelvic floor can ease the strain of carrying a baby. Still, it’s commonly overlooked and underconsidered until the postpartum stages of pregnancy and that can lead to pelvic pain, muscle weakness, and other conditions.
Strengthening the pelvic floor before pregnancy won’t just help postpartum; it can decrease labor time and improve contraction strength during delivery, reducing stress and complications for mother and baby.
Since pelvic floor exercises can be complicated, especially for women who are already pregnant, it’s essential to seek professional guidance from a qualified pelvic floor physical therapist. At Orlin & Cohen, our physical therapists specialize in women’s health conditions, including pelvic floor training and rehabilitation. They can help you build strength safely for a more comfortable pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that supports your foot’s arch, becomes irritated or inflamed. This inflammation can lead to sharp and stabbing pain in the foot and heel. This condition is prevalent for many, but pregnant women tend to be at higher risk due to rapid weight gain.
For pregnant women, plantar fasciitis tends to get worse during the later stages of pregnancy and is often more painful in the mornings. You can treat plantar fasciitis at home with foot splints at night, ice applications, regular foot massages, and orthopedic shoe inserts. If symptoms persist or worsen, contact a foot specialist.
Related Reading: How to prevent and treat foot and ankle swelling.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist, can lead to tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand, wrist, and forearm. For pregnant women, this typically occurs due to fluid retention, most frequently in the third trimester. Carpal tunnel syndrome generally resolves after delivery, but treatments like ice, compression, and wrist splints can help ease the pain. Learn more about carpal tunnel and how to prevent it.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Another condition that can affect the hands is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, which occurs when the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist become inflamed or swollen. This can result in discomfort and pain at the base of the thumb and wrist, making it difficult to complete daily tasks that involve turning, grasping, or making a fist.
During pregnancy, the condition is generally caused by fluid retention. Then postpartum, it can be aggravated by overuse with repetitive activities, like feeding, holding, and caring for a baby. With proper treatment, improvement is likely, but it’s best to consult a hand specialist who can help you begin treatment early and feel better, faster.
Treating Orthopedic Conditions During Pregnancy
As the body goes through the stages of pregnancy, orthopedic conditions can occur in the back, hips, hands, feet, and ankles. At Orlin & Cohen, our top-ranked specialists can provide the necessary orthopedic care for an easier, healthier pregnancy. Request an appointment.
