Computerized foot screening in pregnant women

Pregnancy foot problems:

Most pregnant women complain in musculoskeletal disorders, especially in the back and lower limbs. The centre of gravity changes as the fetus grows, and the hormones synthesized during pregnancy lead to ligamentous laxity and joint instability. In this way, the body gets ready for labour, but the hormones synthesized do not exclusively affect the pelvis and hips, but also affect the ligaments of the lower limb. As a result, the ankle and foot joints lose stability and the foot starts to change position.

Often women complain of swollen feet and notice that they have to choose footwear a size or two bigger. These changes are caused by the aforementioned synthesis of pregnancy hormones, which loosen the joints and soften the connective tissue, i.e., loosen the ligaments, which is why increasing body weight has a greater impact on the feet than usual. The changes in the feet are compounded by venous congestion in the legs, which causes constant swelling of the feet.

All of these reasons combine to change the biomechanics of the foot. This means that the points of natural arch support are altered, the cushioning properties of the foot arch are weakened or lost, muscles are overstretched, the likelihood of cramps increases, and the loosening of ligaments and the resulting instability of the joints increase the risk of ankle sprains, other foot injuries, and falls.

How to avoid such changes?

These changes during pregnancy are inevitable and more or less occur in all pregnant women. Appropriate treatment and preventive measures should be taken to avoid serious injuries and to alleviate these biomechanical changes in the musculoskeletal system as much as possible. Of course, the effectiveness of the treatment depends on how deeply we look into the problem – in this case, foot problems experienced by pregnant women. In clinical practice, this type of assessment is carried out using a diagnostic computerized foot screening, which is performed on a treadmill for walking/running with special pressure-sensitive sensors.

What can we assess with computerized foot screening?

• Pronation (foot tilts inwards), supination (foot tilts outwards), and the position of the arch of the foot when standing.
• Loads on the fulcrum points when standing.
• Pronation (foot tilts inwards), supination (foot tilts outwards), and the position of the arch of the foot in dynamics.
• Loads on the fulcrum points in dynamics.
• Centre of gravity. 
• Posture.
• Gait.

All this data is captured on video, so all the details are analysed to the maximum extent possible in order to tailor professional treatment. Since most women have already had biomechanical changes in their feet before pregnancy, they are not only offered individualized prevention measures, but also carefully tailored long-term treatment in the form of customized insoles, which correct the structural changes in the feet that are already causing discomfort, while at the same time preventing the progression of this deformity. 

How is the screening done and will it be tiring for a pregnant woman?

The screening can be performed throughout pregnancy, but it is recommended to do it as early as possible, before foot deformities start to progress, so the first and second trimesters are optimal. The screening with consultation (foot assessment, data collection, and analysis) takes about 1 hour, while the actual walking on the treadmill takes 5-7 minutes and does not require any significant physical effort – it is enough to walk slowly barefoot on the treadmill’s platform, which detects feet load distribution by responding to pressure. The screening does not involve any strenuous physical activity on the part of the pregnant woman and is also completely safe for the baby.

The feet are a very important part of the body, responsible for many activities in everyday life, and you should not forget to take care of them in order to make waiting for your new baby’s arrival a little easier.