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. 2024 May 17;21(5):638.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph21050638.

Changes in Foot Biomechanics during Pregnancy and Postpartum: Scoping Review

Maria Otília Brites Zangão  1 , Ana Filipa Poeira  1   2 , Marco Branco  3   4   5 , Rita Santos-Rocha  3   4   5
Affiliations

Changes in Foot Biomechanics during Pregnancy and Postpartum: Scoping Review

Maria Otília Brites Zangão et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

(1) Background: During pregnancy, changes in foot biomechanics affect structural stability and gait. (2) Objective: To map the available evidence for changes in foot biomechanics during pregnancy and the postpartum period. (3) Methods: Scoping review according to the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute through the relevant databases via EBSCO, MEDLINE with full text, BioOne Complete, CINAHL Plus with full text, Academic Search Complete, and SPORT Discus with full text. The search was conducted in SCOPUS and PubMed. (4) Results: Eight studies were included in the scoping review. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and synthesized data in narrative form. We found that changes in the length and volume of the foot occur during pregnancy and remain in the postpartum period. (5) Conclusions: During pregnancy, anatomical and biomechanical changes occur in the pregnant woman's foot, potentially contributing to the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. However, more research is needed to determine whether these biomechanical changes can lead to the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Keywords: biomechanical phenomena; foot; postpartum period; pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Presentation of the study selection diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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