Influence of unstable shoes on women with lumbopelvic postpartum pain: randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Back pain is a normal symptom during pregnancy and is expected to become worse beyond the first three months after childbirth. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of wearing unstable shoes instead of conventional shoes, regarding pain intensity, low back mobility and stability, among women with lumbopelvic pain (LPP) during the postpartum period. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, single-blinded, randomized clinical trial conducted at a podiatry and physiotherapy clinical center. METHODS: A nine-week program of wearing either unstable shoes (A) or conventional shoes (B) was implemented. The following outcomes were measured in three assessments: pain intensity, using a visual analogue scale (VAS); low-back mobility, using a modified Schober test; and stability, using a pressure platform. RESULTS: The lateral stability speed, anterior stability speed and anterior center of pressure (COP) showed significant (P < 0.05) decreases in the unstable shoes group after nine weeks, in relation to the conventional group. Intra-group measurements showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in VAS between the second and third assessments and between the first and third assessments in both groups. Intra-group evaluations also showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in the lateral stability speed and anterior stability speed. CONCLUSIONS: Unstable shoes were effective in decreasing the pain intensity at five and nine weeks in women with postpartum LPP. In addition, their use produced decreases in lateral stability speed, anterior stability speed and anterior COP at nine weeks.

Dolor lumbopélvico asociado a discapacidad durante el tercer trimestre de embarazo y su evolución posterior al parto / Lumbopelvic pain associated with disability during the third trimester of pregnancy and its evolution after delivery

RESUMEN El dolor lumbopélvico es una condición muy frecuente, afectando un 50 a 70% de las mujeres durante el embarazo. En la mayoría de los casos ha habido una recuperación al mes o 3 meses postparto. Sin embargo, estudios reportan que la mejoría es incompleta, pudiendo persistir o aumentar años posterior al parto. Esta condición puede causar limitaciones en la vida diaria, provocando algún grado de discapacidad que muchas veces no es abordado con la importancia que se merece. Objetivo Determinar la prevalencia de dolor lumbopélvico y su relación con el grado de discapacidad durante el tercer trimestre de embarazo y 3 meses postparto. Material y método Estudio observacional y cohorte prospectivo; la muestra son 81 mujeres estudiadas en su tercer trimestre de embarazo y 3 meses postparto atendidas durante 2014-2015 en el Departamento de Obstetricia & Ginecología, Clínica Las Condes. Se aplicó un cuestionario y el Índice de discapacidad Oswestry en ambas etapas y autoadministrada. El análisis de datos se realizó con STATA10.0. Resultados El 81,48% de las embarazadas presentaron dolor lumbopélvico, siendo más prevalente y con una asociación significativa en el tercer trimestre (72,84%, p<0,001). El 25,93% de las mujeres lo mantiene después del parto. Existe una asociación significativa entre dolor lumbopélvico y grado de discapacidad (p<0,001), específicamente con actividades de la vida diaria, actividad sexual y actividades domésticas. Conclusiones Existe una alta prevalencia de dolor lumbopélvico en el embarazo, y un porcentaje no menor lo mantiene postparto, y en ambos casos está asociado a un grado de discapacidad.

ABSTRACT Lumbopelvic pain is a very frequent condition that affects between 50 to 70% of pregnant women. In many cases have been a recovery over the month or three months postpartum. However, some studies showed an incomplete improvement, so it could persist or increase through years after childbirth. This condition can cause daily life limitations, it is provoking some disability grade, that many times it didn't understand with the importance that deserve. Aim To identify the lumbopelvic pain prevalence and the relation with disability grade during the third trimester of pregnancy and three months postpartum. Material and Methods Observational and prospective cohort study; the sample was 81 women studied in her third trimester of pregnancy and three months postpartum during 2014-2015 in the "Departamento de Obstetricia & Ginecologia de Clínica Las Condes". It applied a questionnaire and the Oswestry Disability Index in both stages and self-administered. Data analysis was using STATA 10.0 software. Results 81, 48% of pregnant showed lumbopelvic pain, there were being more prevalent and significantly associated with third trimester (72, 84%, p<0,001). 25, 93% of women maintained this condition postpartum. There is a significant association between lumbopelvic pain and disability grade (p<0,001), specifically with daily life, sexual and domestic activities. Conclusions There is a high prevalence of lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy, and not less percentage maintained this condition postpartum, that associated with a high disability grade.

Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain in early postpartum period and risk factors.

Background: Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain is known as lower back and pelvic girdle pain of unclear etiology, which affects almost half of pregnant women, often starts at 18 weeks and decreases at 6 months postpartum. The purpose of this study is to identify the risk factors in patients with pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain in early postpartum period and determine the factors associated with pain in patients suffering from lumbopelvic pain at 1 month postpartum. Methods: 339 women of 18-40 years of age who were in the 1st month of postpartum period were included in the study. Socio-demographic data, gynecological history and method of delivery were recorded for all subjects. All subjects were evaluated for pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain. The Oswestry disability index was used for functional evaluation and the Beck depression inventory was used for assessment of depression. Results: 114 (33.6%) patients had a history of pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain. 59 (18.9%) patients had ongoing pain at 1 month postpartum. When patients were divided into two groups, consisting of women with and without lumbopelvic pain at 1 month postpartum, no statistical difference was observed between two groups in terms of age, parity, employment status, smoking status, depression score, method of delivery, type of anesthesia, and emergency or elective cesarean section. When the risk factors affecting postpartum lumbopelvic pain were evaluated by using the Stepwise Logistic regression analysis, weight gain during pregnancy, body mass index and presence of lumbopelvic pain during previous pregnancy were found to be independent risk factors (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain is a significant cause of disability that affects many pregnant women. Control of weight gain during pregnancy could be important in avoiding the development of lumbopelvic pain. In patients experiencing lumbopelvic pain in previous pregnancies, necessary measures should be taken against development of lumbopelvic pain during a new pregnancy.