Knee Sprain in Pregnancy - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Introduction

While pregnancy is a significant source of joy for women, it often comes with various physical changes, such as morning sickness, joint pains, and heartburn. The additional weight carried during pregnancy can lead to leg pain, particularly in the knees, as the increased load affects the knee joints. This type of knee pain is commonly experienced in the final trimester when the growing baby bump puts considerable strain on the body. However, knee pain may also occur earlier in pregnancy, sometimes as early as six to 12 weeks, as the body adjusts to accommodate the developing baby and its placental home.

What Are the Symptoms of Knee Pain in Pregnancy?

The symptoms of knee pain during pregnancy are often unexpected for many women. Before discovering the positive results of a pregnancy test, most anticipate experiencing some lower back and joint discomfort as a normal part of pregnancy. However, the surprise may come when they encounter knee pain beyond minor aches and grumbles, causing significant discomfort and hindering mobility.

The challenges of limping around due to knee pain, coupled with potential issues like constipation, pelvic organ prolapses, incontinence, and cystitis, can overshadow the envisioned smooth journey through pregnancy. The prevalent types of knee pain experienced by pregnant women include discomfort in the knee joints when standing or walking for extended periods and a persistent, gradually intensifying throbbing pain in the knee.

What Are the Causes of Knee Pain During Pregnancy?

Several factors contribute to knee joint pain during pregnancy:

• Fluctuations in Hormone Levels: In the final trimester of pregnancy, the body releases hormones to prepare the pelvic region for childbirth. This process makes the ligaments and tissues in the pelvic region looser and affects other body parts, including the knees. Consequently, the kneecap, bones, ligaments, or tendons may shift from their position, resulting in knee pain.

• Strained Veins: Pregnancy can exert stress and pressure on the veins in and around the knee joint, leading to pain.

• Increase in Weight: The primary cause of knee pain during pregnancy is the natural increase in body weight (100 percent normal). Most women gain between 10 and 40 lbs, depending on their weight. While this weight gain is normal, it places significant stress on the knee joints as the body is not accustomed to the extra weight.

• Excessive Exercise: While some activity is recommended during pregnancy, excessive exercise can weaken the knees in pregnant women due to altered hormone levels and increased weight. Particularly, exercises like squats can impact the knees.

• Any Injury: Both old and new injuries can result in knee pain during pregnancy. Past or recent knee weakness due to a fall, strain, balance issues, or pregnancy-related weight gain may contribute to pain. In cases of severe pain, immediate medical attention is advised.

• Excessive Standing/Walking: Prolonged periods of standing or walking can lead to knee pain, especially during pregnancy. This type of pain may not have been an issue before pregnancy but occurs due to the extra weight being borne, causing the knee to ache and throb.

• Lack of Calcium: While rare, a calcium deficiency, usually linked to pre-existing health conditions, can contribute to knee pain during pregnancy.

• Change in Center of Gravity: Excessive movement during pregnancy can alter the center of gravity, increasing stress on the knee joints and resulting in knee pain.

What Are the Risks Associated With Knee Pain During Pregnancy?

Neglecting to examine, monitor, or address knee pain during pregnancy may lead to significant complications. The following issues are associated with knee pain during pregnancy:

• Increased Pressure and Strain: The excess weight during pregnancy puts considerable pressure on the knees, affecting the ligaments and cartilage around the joints. This can result in difficulties with running, bending, and walking.

• Risk of Osteoarthritis: Suffering from knee pain during pregnancy elevates the risk of developing osteoarthritis. This is due to the wear and tear of cartilage around the knee, leading to potential issues such as severe pain, locking of knee joints, and joint stiffness.

How Can One Treat Knee Pain During Pregnancy?

There are generally two causes of knee pain during pregnancy: pregnancy-related physical changes and injury. For pregnancy-related changes, preventive measures can be taken to address the issue and prevent further deterioration. In the case of injury, a thorough knee examination is necessary to identify the root cause and implement appropriate treatment.

Feeling overwhelmed by knee pain during pregnancy or post-delivery is unnecessary, as there are various measures available to alleviate the pain and address the issue comprehensively. These measures include:

• Low-Impact Exercise: Engage in low-impact exercises such as walking, Pilates, and specific therapeutic exercises supervised by a physical therapist. These exercises strengthen the knee and the surrounding muscles and joints.

• Prop Up the Feet: Relieve pregnancy-related knee stress by avoiding prolonged standing. Instead, elevate the feet on a pillow whenever possible to reduce excess fluid build-up, providing relief and acting as a preventive measure.

• Wear Proper Footwear: Use appropriate footwear with good arch support, padding, and flat heels to minimize knee impact. Avoiding heels during pregnancy is advisable.

• Control Weight Gain: Maintain a controlled weight gain during pregnancy. While women with average pre-pregnancy weight can safely increase by 25 to 30 pounds, overweight or obese women should limit their weight gain to 15 to 25 pounds, as per scientific studies.

• Consider OTC (Over-The-Counter) Medication: Under the obstetrician's or gynecologist's supervision and consultation, consider using over-the-counter pain-relieving medications like Tylenol, deemed safe during pregnancy.

• Use Supportive Aid: If someone has a history of knee surgery, injury, or weakness, consider using a supportive aid like a knee brace during pregnancy to support tendons and cartilage. However, this recommendation is made judiciously.

What Are Some Home Remedies for Pregnant Women to Relieve Knee Pain?

Knee pain experienced during pregnancy is typically temporary and tends to subside post-delivery. To ease discomfort, consider the following home remedies:

• Incorporate low-impact exercises to strengthen knee muscles, but consult the gynecologist before starting any exercise routine.

• Sit with the feet elevated to alleviate weight on the legs.

• Opt for well-cushioned shoes, such as padded footwear, for knee support and shock absorption.

• Use splints to relieve pain in the hands and feet.

• Employ a knee brace for added support to ligaments and tendons during pregnancy.

• Explore the benefits of massage therapy for alleviating stiffness and joint pain.

• Monitor the eating habits and weight during pregnancy.

• Maintain a balanced diet and exercise control over cravings to prevent knee pain, emphasizing the importance of weight management during pregnancy.

Conclusion

In summary, knee pain during pregnancy can be attributed to various factors, including physical changes and injury. Neglecting this discomfort may lead to complications such as increased knee pressure and a heightened risk of osteoarthritis. However, there are effective measures to treat and prevent further deterioration. Home remedies, including low-impact exercises, elevating feet, proper footwear, and weight control, can significantly alleviate knee pain for pregnant women.