Aching legs during pregnancy - what could be the cause and what to do?

Why do knee pain occur during pregnancy?

Physiological reasons

Lack of calcium during pregnancy often leads to knee pain

Usually during pregnancy, knee pain occurs in the later stages, but in some cases the syndrome appears in the first months and is also caused by female physiology:

A pregnant woman is rapidly gaining weight. The pain is especially pronounced when bending the joints. For this reason, doctors recommend avoiding squats and similar exercises while pregnant.
The female body is actively restructuring, and the hormonal balance is changing. The main task is to support pregnancy and the proper development of the child, and in the future - improve labor activity. At the same time, hormones affect the structures of the joints, so the knees begin to twist.
Pregnant women need more calcium as the fetus takes up most of it. Calcium deficiency causes joint pathologies.

Physiological reasons appear during any week of pregnancy. The doctor will tell you what to do to improve the condition of the joints and prevent pathological processes.

Pathological causes

Pain may occur when the patella dislocates

During pregnancy, new diseases appear and old ones worsen. The signal is pain in the knee joints. Timely therapy will improve a woman’s health and eliminate the threat of miscarriage.

Hormonal changes, injuries, and excess weight lead to joint diseases. Pathological processes cause inflammation and lead to problems with motor functions. Knees can be bothered by a feeling of heaviness, pronounced pain, and swelling. The immune system of the female body is exposed to many unfavorable factors, which also causes the development of articular and autoimmune pathological processes.

Psychological reasons

Doctors note that knee pain during pregnancy can be due to psychological reasons. The onset of pregnancy leads to a change in a woman's emotional state. Expectant mothers are not always ready for what is happening. They face a lack of communication with friends and suffer from the inability to go to work. As a result, a depressive state develops and an unwillingness to get out of bed and do anything. To avoid this, you should plan vigorous activities correctly and moderately to maintain health.

Psychological reasons

Even a desired pregnancy is a huge stress. And not only for the female body, but also for the psyche of the expectant mother. Why does my knee hurt during pregnancy? Psychological causes often include depressive states, which can arise due to the following factors:

Fear of irreversible changes in the body. Dissatisfaction with the appearance of your body, since during pregnancy it changes a lot.
Increased sensitivity to external factors, which causes irritability and excessive emotionality.
Changing your usual social circle.
A change in the rhythm of life, the need to visit medical institutions, as well as spending a lot of time alone.

Examination and medical recommendations

To determine the cause of knee pain, you need to be examined by a doctor.

For physiological reasons, it is not necessary to treat the knees, but the condition of the joints should be monitored. The doctor will recommend tests to determine existing problems and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.

If you have knee pain in early pregnancy, the risk of pathology is quite high. Consultation with doctors of various specializations, hardware and laboratory tests is required.

Treatment can only be prescribed by a doctor. Self-prescribing medications and procedures is strictly prohibited. Treatment options during pregnancy are limited, and many drugs are contraindicated.

The main task is weight control. The specialist will prescribe a special diet in which the body will not suffer from a deficiency of essential substances, and will establish a drinking regime to avoid swelling.

From the moment of pregnancy, it is recommended to avoid active sports and sudden movements. Light workouts are useful: gymnastics for pregnant women, swimming.

If non-drug therapy does not work, medication is allowed. In extreme cases, the woman is hospitalized and, if necessary, undergoes a caesarean section for medical reasons.

Principles of treatment of diseases of the knee joints

Elastic bandage for the knee joint will reduce the load

For joint pathologies, stabilizing bandages and calcium supplements are required. It is recommended to avoid physical activities that are considered potentially dangerous. If for some reason your knees hurt, it is recommended to give up even the slightest load.

In case of injuries to the knee joints, a mandatory visit to a traumatologist is required. If necessary, a cast is applied to stabilize the joints. Additionally, medications are prescribed to improve the condition of the knees.

Treatment and prevention

Many of the factors that lead to leg pain can be minimized or avoided by taking preventative measures early in pregnancy.

If you work, dedicate one day a week exclusively to rest.

Drink enough clean water and avoid foods high in salt.
To improve blood circulation in your legs, do 15-minute exercises: while lying down, raise your legs 15-30 cm above heart level.
Do not wear very tight clothes (it is best to dress in special clothes for pregnant women).
At the first signs of varicose veins, it is recommended to use compression stockings. And remember: it is better to walk more than to stand or sit in one place for a long time.
Monitor your weight: on average, your weight gain during pregnancy should be 11-15 kg.
Do prenatal yoga exercises to stretch your calf muscles. Do not overexert yourself: there should be no shortness of breath, weakness or dizziness!

Choose comfortable shoes that will provide additional support and cushioning for your feet. Do not wear shoes or boots that are too narrow. Wear seamless socks without tight elastic.
Walk barefoot on the floor less and avoid crossing your legs when sitting.
Don't slouch, maintain good posture.
Feel free to just lean back and stretch your legs when riding in public transport.
Sleep on your left side; this position will improve blood circulation and help reduce swelling.

Swim in the pool, as measured swimming relieves pressure from the spine and tones the muscles of the legs, arms, and back.
Do not overexpose yourself to the sun.
If you have a sedentary lifestyle, spend more time outdoors: take a leisurely walk for at least 30 minutes every day.
Many pregnant women feel relief in their legs after applying ice to their ankles.

Proper nutrition is also of great importance for leg pain. Eat foods rich in magnesium (nuts, seeds, dried fruits) and potassium (figs, baked potatoes, spinach, avocados, bananas). After consulting with your doctor, you can take multivitamin supplements with magnesium: it regulates the function of the nervous and muscular systems in the body and helps reduce involuntary muscle spasms. In addition, magnesium has a mild laxative effect. And consumption of dairy products compensates for calcium deficiency during pregnancy.

A soothing massage with cooling gel is a great way to get rid of pain and heaviness in your legs. It allows you to relax the muscles and improves blood circulation in the lower extremities. It is better to do procedures without essential oils and from a qualified specialist.

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Preventive measures

To avoid unpleasant symptoms: aching knees, swelling, limited mobility, you should remember about prevention:

inclusion of protein and calcium foods in the diet to obtain sufficient amounts of nutrients;
taking vitamins that are required during pregnancy and lactation;
use of a special bandage to compensate for the shifted center of gravity and unload the legs;
monitoring physical activity to reduce stress on the knees.

Traditional methods of treatment

Carrying a child is a special period in the life of every woman, during which a large number of classical medications are undesirable for use. In this regard, many doctors resort to treatment with folk remedies, which are considered safe. The following methods of therapy are popular:

Nutria fat is a great way to relieve pain. Apply a thin layer of it to the sore spot. After some time, the discomfort and unpleasant sensations will go away.
Warm bath with a decoction of birch and pine leaves. To prepare the product, you will need about 500 g of dried herbs, which must be brewed in 4 liters of water. After this, the broth must be filtered and poured into a bath of warm water. It is recommended to take water procedures daily for 20 minutes.
A bandage with honey and salt helps if your knees hurt during pregnancy. For this you will need 1 tbsp. natural honey, which must be mixed with 1 tbsp. table salt. The mass should be wrapped in gauze or light cloth, and then applied to the sore spot for 30 minutes. The product has an anti-inflammatory effect. Bee honey should be used only if there is no individual allergic reaction.
Pine buds with sugar. To prepare the product, you need to take 300 g of green pine buds, mix with 300 g of sugar, fill a jar with the contents and place in a dark, cool place for 5 days. After 5 days, the kidneys will produce juice and some of the sugar will dissolve. The resulting mixture should be rubbed on the sore spot every evening. After 30 minutes, it is recommended to rinse the mixture with warm water.
The use of ordinary cosmetic clay can significantly improve the condition. To do this, you need to dilute it with water, according to the instructions, and then apply a thick layer to the sore joints. It is recommended to repeat the procedure daily.
The crushed horse chestnut fruits should be poured with vodka and kept in a water bath for about 20 minutes. The resulting mixture is also used to relieve pain and relieve inflammation.

If your knees hurt during pregnancy, the standard course of treatment with folk remedies is about 14 days. It should also be remembered that any treatment methods, even traditional ones, should be used only with the permission of the attending physician.

Features of the structure of joints

The joint is constantly in motion and is the junction of two bones. Muscles are attached to bones by tendons and ligaments. Pain of various types can occur in joints, muscles and tendons.

The nature of the pain that occurs is very diverse and, accordingly, treatment methods should be selected based on the cause of the discomfort in the joints.

When diagnosing the disease, the doctor must as accurately as possible determine the cause of joint pain during pregnancy and prescribe effective treatment.