A new study from the University of Iowa shows that change in foot size among women during pregnancy is permanent, reports Medical Xpress.
The study explains the cause of flat feet caused during pregnancies in women. The arch of feet loses its height due to the pressure and extra weight carried by women during pregnancies resulting in flat feet. The study confirms that flat feet during pregnancy are a permanent effect.
"I had heard women reporting changes in their shoe size with pregnancy, but found nothing about that in medical journals or textbooks," Neil Segal, M.D., UI associate professor of orthopedics and rehabilitation, said. "In order to study this more scientifically, we measured women's feet at the beginning of their pregnancy and five months after delivery. We found that pregnancy does indeed lead to permanent changes in the feet."
The study included 49 pregnant women in their first trimesters and their arch measurements were noted while feet remained still and in action. Researchers followed up on these women and took measurements of their arch height five months after they delivered the child. On comparing the initial measurements with the post child birth measurements, it was found that nearly 60 to 70 percent of women had their feet longer and wider.
"We know that women, and especially women who have had children, are disproportionately affected by musculoskeletal disorders," said Segal, who also is an associate professor of radiology and epidemiology, and director of the Clinical Osteoarthritis Research Program. "It is possible that these foot changes that occur during pregnancy may help explain why, in comparison with men, women are at higher risk for pain or arthritis in their feet, knees, hips and spines."
During the study, it was also noted that arch height and arch stiffness decreased when measurements were compared from early pregnancy to five months after child birth. An increase of 2 to 10 millimeter in foot length was noted during the transition.
Segal intends to conduct more research concerning any health related problems due to foot change during pregnancy and find a way to prevent any musculoskeletal health concerns during pregnancy, reports Medical Xpress.
The findings of the study are published online in the March edition of the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
