Peripheral joint laxity increases in pregnancy but does not correlate with serum relaxin levels,☆☆,,★★

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate peripheral joint laxity during pregnancy and to determine whether serum relaxin levels are associated with increased joint laxity. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective observational study was performed. RESULTS: A significant increase in joint laxity was found in five of seven peripheral joints over the course of the pregnancy and post partum. There was no correlation with serum relaxin levels. There were no significant differences in joint laxity on the basis of parity, age, or prepregnancy exercise levels. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral joint laxity is noted to increase as pregnancy progresses. The cause of this change is undetermined. (AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1996;174:667-71.)

Section snippets

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-one women were recruited to participate in this study. No patients had a history of joint injury or a medical contraindication to involvement in this study. No distinction was made as to prepregnancy exercise level, although this information was noted. All patients received full information about the study and gave informed consent. Institutional review approval was obtained before performance of the study.

All patients were scheduled to be seen before pregnancy, during each of the

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients were followed up from prepregnancy through 6 weeks post partum. Analysis of joint laxity and relaxin levels was performed at 9.2 ± 2 weeks, 19.7 ± 4 weeks, 32.1 ± 3 weeks from the last menstrual period, and 2 and 6 weeks post partum.

The mean maternal age was 30.4 years, and 52% were nulliparous. The mean gestational age at delivery was 39.1 weeks. There were no complications of pregnancy that were thought to confound this study. No patient required periods of bed rest or

COMMENT

Significant physical changes occur in peripheral joints during pregnancy. This study does confirm a greater degree of joint laxity but fails to demonstrate any relationship to serum relaxin levels, age, parity, or exercise history. The role relaxin plays in these joint changes is therefore undetermined. It could be speculated that prolonged exposure to relaxin during human pregnancy might cause increased joint laxity, which occurs late in pregnancy, but an acute effect of relaxin cannot be

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  • Cited by (168)

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    From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gundersen Clinic,a Gundersen Medical Foundation,b the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New Jersey Medical School,c and private practice.d

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    Supported in part by a grant from the Gundersen Medical Foundation.

    Reprint requests: Charles Schauberger, MD, 1836 South Ave., LaCrosse, WI 54601.

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