Association between kinesiologic dysfunctions, lumbar disability and lumbopelvic pain in pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain in pregnancy is highly prevalent and multifactorial. However, it is still unclear if the back pain is associated with functional kinetic changes that occur during pregnancy. Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of low back pain in pregnancy and to investigate the association of low back pain disability with intensity, pain origin and kinesilogic dysfunction (range of motion of the lumbar spine, lumbar flexibility and trunk mobility). Methods: Women (n = 32) with gestational age equal or less than 20 weeks, assisted in one health centers on the coast of Paraná. Obstetric and historical lumbopelvic of pain, musculoskeletal discomfort, intensity lumbopelvic pain, low back disability, the source of pain through specific clinical trials, joint range of motion of the lumbar spine, the lumbar flexibility and general mobility of the trunk were evaluated. Results: The lumbar region was the most reported and higher frequency (p = 0.000) for the occurrence of musculoskeletal discomforts. The prevalence of lumbopelvic pain was 93.8%. Most reported the first episode after the 14th week of pregnancy (90%), on a daily frequency (63.3%), high intensity (50%), limiting the activities of daily living (50%) and generating low back disability (moderate to severe in 56.9%). Lumbar disability levels were significantly correlated to gestational age (r = 0.353), pain intensity (r = 0.402), positive results in clinical trials (except for the Lasègue test), range of motion for flexion (r = -0.280) and lumbar extension (r = -0.301), lumbar flexibility (r = -0.371) and general mobility trunk (r = 0.503). Conclusion: The greater gestational age, the greater intensity of pain, positivity in clinical trials, decreased range of motion, flexibility and lumbar trunk mobility constitute major lumbar disability.