Pregnancy is a transformative journey that brings immense joy, but it’s not without its challenges. Among the most common physical discomforts faced by expectant mothers is knee pain during pregnancy. As the body undergoes significant changes to accommodate the growing baby, joints like the knees bear the brunt of increased weight and altered posture.
This discomfort can range from mild twinges to debilitating aches, making everyday activities more difficult. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and effective ways to manage knee pain can empower pregnant women to navigate this phase more comfortably.
Symptoms of Knee Pain During Pregnancy
Aching knees during pregnancy arises from a combination of physical, hormonal, and lifestyle factors. Recognizing the symptoms early and understanding the underlying causes is crucial for effective management.
Swelling and Stiffness
Swelling and stiffness are one of the most common symptoms of knee pain during pregnancy. The body tends to retain more fluid during pregnancy, which accumulates around the knee joints, causing puffiness and a feeling of tightness. This buildup of fluid limits mobility and increases the pressure on the knee, resulting in discomfort.
Aching or Sharp Pain
Most women experience knee problems during pregnancy which could be sudden sharp pain or persistent ache in their knees. These aching knees become more pronounced during the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy due to the increase in the body weight. In these later stages, even simple tasks like bending down or climbing stairs seem like an uphill battle.
Popping or Clicking Sound
Sometimes, you must have heard the popping or clicking sound when moving your knees. It can be quite unsettling. It shows that there is some kind of instability in your joints. Pregnancy releases many hormones like relaxin, which causes the ligaments around the knees to become looser, making the joints less stable. This can lead to aching knees during pregnancy and is a cause of concern for expectant mothers.
Difficulty in Bending the Knee
As the time of delivery comes near, some women find it challenging to bend or straighten their knees fully. These knee problems during pregnancy arise from combined issues like fluid retention, joint stiffness, and the added strain of carrying extra weight. Performing everyday activities like sitting on low chairs or squatting becomes painful.
Causes of Knee Pain During Pregnancy
Some common causes of knee problems during pregnancy are –
Hormonal Changes
Pregnancy brings a surge of hormones in a female. These hormones are essential to accommodate the growing baby. While these hormonal changes benefit childbirth, it also come with knee pain during pregnancy and decrease joint stability.
Shift in center of gravity
When your uterus expands, your center of gravity also shifts while weakening the abdominal muscles at the same time. It results in creating stress and lower back pain. Besides, this shift forces the knees to bear a disproportionate share of the body’s weight, leading to joint stress.
Over or Lack of Exercise
Strike the right balance in physical activity during your pregnancy period. Over-exercising or inactivity can lead to aching knees during pregnancy. Excessive exercising means you are inviting strains in your joints, while a sedentary lifestyle leads to muscle weakness.
Aching Knees During Pregnancy: Things You Should Consider
Managing pregnancy and aching legs requires a proactive approach. Here are some practical tips to ensure comfort and mobility –
Belly Band
To support your abdomen, wear the belly band in the middle and end of the 3rd trimester. It helps in lowering the knee pain during pregnancy and sometimes also the round ligament pain. Although ligament pain is not joint-related, but is a common complaint of most women.
Regular exercising
It is common to see that women experience a decrease in physical activity when they are pregnant. Their strength and willingness to work out decreases. However, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to knee problems during pregnancy. The reduced activity also leads to more weight gain during such time. If you are unable to stick to a normal workout, try safe low-impact exercises. Make it a goal to do that atleast 15 minutes a day. You can also try yoga and light weight lifting exercises. Always consult your OBGYN before indulging in any exercise during pregnancy for the safety of your current health.
Applying heat
Applying heat to the affected area brings huge relief. What you have to do here is to put Epsom salts in the warm water or you can also place heating pads on your hips, knees, or lower back to get rid of the pain. Remember to not burn yourself when using a heating pad.
Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massage works wonders in relieving the muscle aches caused by joint pain and handling knee pain during pregnancy. Get pregnancy massage therapy to address your biomechanical issues contributing to knee pain.
Over-the-Counter Pain relievers
If you are considering over-the-counter pain relievers during pregnancy, consult your doctor first before taking any OTC medicine. It is believed that you must not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen during your third trimester as it can adversely affect your baby.
Who Should You Consult For Knee Problems During Pregnancy?
Seek professional help if the pain persists. A physiotherapist specializing in prenatal care can evaluate joint alignment, recommend exercises, and provide targeted treatments.
If knee pain persists or worsens, it’s essential to seek professional help. A physiotherapist specializing in prenatal care can evaluate joint alignment, recommend exercises, and provide targeted treatments.
For women experiencing knee pain related to pelvic misalignment, pelvic floor physiotherapy is an excellent option. At RMT Movement, our experts offer personalized pelvic floor physiotherapy in Brampton to address such issues effectively. And if you are wondering about how much it will charge, worry not. You can refer to the prices section of our website and fetch all the answers.
Final Thoughts
Knee pain during pregnancy may feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies and support, it’s manageable. Understanding the symptoms, addressing the root causes, and consulting with healthcare professionals can significantly improve your quality of life during this special time.
At RMT Movement, we’re dedicated to supporting expectant mothers through tailored physiotherapy solutions. Whether you’re dealing with knee pain or other pregnancy-related discomforts, our team is here to help. Contact us to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward a healthier, more comfortable pregnancy!
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