Does Your Knee Hurt Because You’re Pregnant?

Knee pain is a common complaint during pregnancy and the postpartum period, this pain can range from mild to annoying to debilitating.

Knee Pain During Pregnancy

It’s hardly surprising that pregnancy can cause knee pain since it’s well-known that excessive weight contributes to knee problems. 

There are different reasons for different types of knee pain.

1. Hormonal changes: In your third trimester, the secretion of relaxin hormone loosens up the pelvic ligaments. This will also loosen the ligaments and tendons of the knees.
2. Weight gain: The gradual increase in weight during pregnancy will lead to knee pain. 
3. Exercises: Too much exercise will also weaken the knees. 
4. Walking or standing: Knee pain will also develop due to the extended periods of walking or standing when the knees are forced to carry excess weight for longer.
5. Deficiency of calcium: The need for calcium increases during pregnancy, and might result in a deficiency if the body does not take the right amounts. It, therefore, raises the risk of knee pains.

Knee Pain After Pregnancy

Knee pain typically goes away after pregnancy, but it may not happen right away. having your baby doesn’t guarantee that you’ll shed all the weight you gained during pregnancy, which means that knee pain may continue until you’re back in shape.

A bonus of breastfeeding is that the body burns calories to make breast milk while you’re nursing, and breastfeeding releases hormones that help shrink the uterus, making weight loss somewhat easier to achieve.

Managing Knee Pain for Pregnant Women

The good news is that you don’t have to live with knee pain during pregnancy and the postpartum period. There’s a lot you can do to help alleviate knee pain. Try the following tips:

• Exercise. Low-impact exercise can help strengthen the muscles that support the knees. 
• Get off your feet. Take the weight off your knees by propping your feet up whenever possible. Not only will this ease knee pain, but it may also prevent pain from developing in the first place.
• Wear well-cushioned shoes. Footwear with adequate padding and arch support can help absorb shock to the knees.
• Avoid excessive weight gain. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women who had a normal weight before pregnancy should put on 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy (women who were overweight should gain 15 to 25 pounds). 
• Take small doses of acetaminophen. The safest over-the-counter pain reliever during pregnancy is acetaminophen (Tylenol). Take the minimum dosage needed to relieve your knee pain, and avoid aspirin and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• Consider wearing a knee brace. An elastic, doughnut-hole knee brace can help relieve knee pain by supporting loose ligaments and tendons around the knee. 

Orthopedic Corner | Leon Mead MD Orthopedic Doctor | 730 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201  Naples Florida 34102 | Phone: (239) 262-1119