Musculoskeletal problems during pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: The prevalence of musculoskeletal problems in pregnancy can vary according to trimester. Early diagnosis and treatments are important to prevent the development of chronic problems. This study was conducted to identify the most common musculoskeletal problems according to trimester, experienced by pregnant women. Material and methods: A total of 120 pregnant women who admitted to physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, evaluated retrospectively in this study. Application complaints, the diagnosis and the trimester of the pregnant women and also age, weight, height, number of pregnancy, working status, presence of secondary disease were recorded. Results: In the first trimester, the most experienced musculoskeletal problems were low back pain (26.3%), pelvic girdle pain (26.3%) and carpal tunnel syndrome (26.3%). The most frequent problem in the second trimester was lower back pain (43.6%) followed by cramp (32.7%) and pelvic girdle pain (30.9%). Finally, in the third trimester, low back pain (34.8%), cramp (32.6%) and pedal edema (32.6%) were the most reported problems. Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal problems in pregnancy can vary according to socio-cultural and environmental factors. Determining the most common musculoskeletal problems experienced in pregnancy in a specific region is important for early diagnosis, increasing quality of life and preventing the development of chronic disorders.