During the bearing of a child, many unpleasant moments and dangers await a woman. One of the most common troubles can be considered pain in the knee joints. It can occur for a number of reasons. Why knees hurt during pregnancy, what to do in this case?
Joint structure features
Any joint in the human body is constantly in motion. This is due to the fact that due to this, the mobility of the body is achieved. The joint is a cartilaginous junction of two bones, the gap between which is filled with synovial fluid to ensure mobility. The joint is surrounded by tendons and ligaments, with the help of which muscle fibers are attached to it.
Joint pain can occur due to various pathologies of both the joint itself and the tissues located nearby.
Physiological causes of pain
During pregnancy, the female body undergoes many changes in a short time. Some of them are invisible to the expectant mother, and some can significantly degrade the quality of life. Why do knees hurt during pregnancy? Among the natural physiological causes, the following can be distinguished:
The increase in body weight that occurs during gestation and increases the load on all joints of the body, including the knee.
Due to the large abdomen, the center of gravity shifts forward, so the load on the knees increases.
A change in the hormonal background, namely the release of a large amount of the hormone relaxin, which is necessary to prepare for childbirth. The hormone softens the cartilage and increases the elasticity of the ligaments. Due to this process, the ligaments of the knee joint no longer fix it so firmly, the load increases.
A lack of calcium, since in the process of formation the child takes a large amount of useful vitamins and minerals from the mother’s nutrition, the nutrients reach the woman’s body in smaller quantities. The problem is solved by the use of vitamin complexes or a balanced diet.
If the knees hurt during pregnancy due to the factors described above, then in most cases the problem is solved independently after childbirth.
Psychological reasons
Even a desired pregnancy is a huge stress. And not only for the female body, but also for the psyche of the future mother. Why does a knee hurt during pregnancy? Among the psychological causes, depressive states that can occur due to such factors are often distinguished:
Fear of irreversible changes in the body. Dissatisfaction with the appearance of your body, since in the process of bearing the fetus it changes very much.
Hypersensitivity to external factors, which causes irritability, excessive emotionality.
Change in the usual circle of friends.
Changing the rhythm of life, the need to visit medical institutions, as well as spending a lot of time alone.
Also, the expectant mother has completely natural fears about the health of the child.
Pathological causes
If the legs below the knee or knee joints hurt during pregnancy, then the causes of this condition can also be associated with pathological processes in the body. These include the following:
Physical injuries - dislocation, fracture, bruise.
The inflammatory process in the connective tissue of the knee joint.
Autoimmune diseases - systemic lupus erythematosus or vasculitis.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
In some cases, pain may be associated with pinching of the sciatic nerve.
Who to contact?
If the knees hurt in the early stages of pregnancy, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner, since the causes of discomfort may not always be associated with pathological processes in the knee joints. If the therapist suspects any disease, then it is in his competence to send the pregnant woman to narrow specialists - surgeon, rheumatologist, traumatologist, orthopedist, osteopath.
Diagnostics
Narrow specialists are required to examine a pregnant woman, find out the symptoms, and also conduct a number of additional clinical studies that may be needed to make the correct diagnosis. The most commonly used diagnostic methods are:
Palpation. In order to find out the exact localization of pain in the knee joint.
Trendelenburg test, which helps to determine the operability of the valves of the veins of the lower extremities.
Ultrasound diagnostics for visual assessment of the condition of the knee joint.
Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography is used in rare cases, since it is considered harmful to the fetus, however, in some cases it cannot be dispensed with.
An x-ray is needed if a limb is mechanically injured.
Also, in some cases, a biopsy of the synovial fluid from the joint, a general and biochemical blood test are necessary.
First aid
If your knees hurt during pregnancy at 40 weeks, then unpleasant sensations can be caused by banal overwork. It can be associated with a significantly increased weight of a pregnant woman, a shift in the center of gravity, and as a result, an increased load on the knee joints. In this case, an adequate first aid for a woman is a complete rest in a supine position.
If the pain has not gone away after a good rest, then you should contact the clinic for additional examinations.
Alternative methods of treatment
Bearing a child is a special period in the life of every woman, during which a large number of classic medications is undesirable to use. In this regard, many doctors resort to treatment with folk remedies, which are considered safe. The following therapies are popular:
Nutria fat is a great way to relieve pain. Apply a thin layer of it to a sore spot. After some time, discomfort and discomfort will go away.
Warm bath with a decoction of birch and coniferous leaves. To prepare the product, you will need about 500 g of dried herbs, which must be brewed in 4 l of water. After this, the broth should be filtered and poured into a bath of warm water. It is recommended to take water procedures daily for 20 minutes.
A dressing with honey and salt helps if your knees hurt during pregnancy. To do this, you need 1 tbsp. natural honey to be mixed with 1 tablespoon table salt. The mass must be wrapped in gauze or light cloth, and then applied to the sore spot for 30 minutes. The product has anti-inflammatory effect. Bee honey should be used only if there is no individual allergic reaction.
Pine kidneys with sugar. To prepare the product, you need to take 300 g of green pine buds, mix with 300 g of sugar, fill the jar with the contents and put in a dark, cool place for 5 days. After 5 days, the kidneys will give juice and part of the sugar will dissolve. The resulting mixture must rub a sore spot every night. After 30 minutes, it is recommended to wash off the mass with warm water.
The use of ordinary cosmetic clay can significantly improve the condition. To do this, you need to dilute it with water, according to the instructions, and then apply a thick layer to the diseased joints. It is recommended to repeat the procedure daily.
The crushed fruits of horse chestnut need to be poured with vodka and aged in a water bath for about 20 minutes. The resulting mixture is also used to relieve pain and relieve inflammation.
If the knees hurt during pregnancy, then the standard course of treatment with folk remedies is about 14 days. It should also be remembered that any treatment methods, even folk ones, should be used only with the permission of the attending physician.
Drug therapy
If your knees are very sore during pregnancy, then the only way out can be the use of drugs to stop unpleasant sensations and discomfort. The most commonly used drugs are:
"Paracetamol" with an increase in body temperature, if it is caused by an inflammatory process in the knee joints.
Gel "Malavit" has a weak analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. It is applied externally, directly to the skin of the knee.
"Fastum-gel" can be used exclusively in the first two trimesters of pregnancy. In the third trimester of gestation, the use of this drug is not recommended.
Gel "Traumeel C" - a homeopathic remedy that relieves swelling and relieves pain.
Unfortunately, during pregnancy, you can not use a large number of medications, therefore, treatment of the disease can be started only after childbirth and cessation of lactation. Up to this point, it is recommended only to stop the pain by means that have no effect on the fetus.
Also, some orthopedists recommend getting orthopedic shoes for pregnancy. In order to prevent the development of joint diseases that are associated with improper weight distribution.
If your knees hurt during pregnancy, but this discomfort is related to getting injured, then the traumatologist can prescribe wearing a bandage from an elastic bandage (for sprains), apply plaster or recommend the use of an orthosis.
Postpartum treatment
If the knees hurt during pregnancy in the later stages, then it is logical to start treatment after the birth of the baby. In this case, the treatment is prescribed more significant than local anesthesia. It includes such methods:
Physical therapy, which is aimed at strengthening the muscles of the lower extremities.
Injections of corticosteroid drugs that have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. The following medications are often used: Prednisolone or Dexamethasone.
Physiotherapeutic procedures - ultrasound therapy, electrophoresis, darsonval, help restore joint function faster.
Surgical intervention may be required in advanced cases. It can be aimed at the complete replacement of the joint or the restoration of its mobility without the use of implants.
If the knees hurt during pregnancy in the later stages, then manual therapy can be prescribed to reduce discomfort. Massage improves blood circulation in the injured limb, as well as reduce pain.
In some cases, a woman is invited to experience acupuncture - acupuncture. This method does not apply to official medicine, however, numerous reviews of women from around the world prove its effectiveness.
Power Features
If your knees hurt during pregnancy, then, first of all, it is recommended to review your diet. The thing is that the child needs a large amount of vitamins, macro and microelements for proper development, so if the future diet of the future mother does not include useful products, then the fetus has to take them from the reserve reserves of the mother's body. The function of bone and articular tissue is positively affected by calcium, and when it is deficient, it begins to break down. In order to avoid knee pain due to a lack of calcium, the following foods should be included in the daily diet:
Dairy and sour-milk products - milk, hard cheese, cottage cheese, kefir and others.
Different types of meat.
River and sea fish.
Liver.
Chicken eggs.
Also, the diet of a pregnant woman must include seasonal vegetables, herbs and cereals.
To maintain the body, many doctors recommend taking vitamin complexes. It is advisable to start their use even at the stage of pregnancy planning, so that the body is able to stock up useful substances.
Preventative measures
What to do if knee joints hurt during pregnancy? It is much easier to prevent the occurrence of discomfort than to then treat. To do this, it is recommended to adhere to the following preventive measures:
Reducing the load on the knee joints includes tracking weight. It is important to gain weight within the normal range.
In the last trimester of pregnancy, when the baby’s weight is maximum, and the center of gravity is shifted forward, you need to spend as much time as possible on rest.
Wearing comfortable shoes can significantly reduce the load on the legs and spine.
Daily self-massage will improve blood circulation, as well as lymph flow. This will avoid stagnation and discomfort associated with it.
It is important not to neglect to wear a special bandage for pregnant women, which not only supports the stomach of an impressive size, but also distributes the load on the legs.
Some doctors may also recommend wearing compression underwear to prevent varicose veins.