How Flat Feet Overpronation Can Be A Factor To Knee Joint Pain

What Leads to Knee Pain?
Knee and leg pain is a common ailment among many people and can have many different causes. A main cause of leg and knee pain is a biomechanical disorder known as over-pronation. The pain is caused by creating an internal rotation of the lower leg and knee and can be easily diagnosed by detecting an outward rotation of the foot at the ankle. A predominant sign of this is the outward curvature of the Achilles Tendon, the strip of tissue that connects the heel and the calf muscle. As this twisting becomes more and more distinct, a person with over-pronation can experience other symptoms such as frequent ankle sprains, painful arches, lower back pain, heel spurs, shin splints, and of course knee pain. Normal wear and tear to the joint can cause pain in the knees, but when over-pronation is evident, it causes a joint that should act as a hinge only, to rotate. This joint is not intended to rotate, and it is this improper motion of the knee that leads to premature wear and tear on the bone resulting in long-term damage and extreme pain in the knee joint.

Other Common Causes of Overpronation

The most common causes of this foot ailment are heredity and the location of the feet while a child is in the mother’s uterus. It will tend to worsen as one matures because the parts of the knee become extremely loose. as the foot becomes used to the loosened state of these tissues, the inner ankle bone becomes very prominent. As the muscles in the feet adapt to this abnormal alignment, the person will find that they have an exceptionally flexible and flat foot. A number of external signs of this ailment can be abnormal wear and tear on the inner soles of shoes, almost no foot arch and also Morton’s toe. Morton’s toe is a ailment, where the big toe is shorter than the second toe and can cause the foot to roll inward.

How to Relieve Knee Pain

One of the ways to help correct this foot abnormality is by the use of orthotic shoe inserts. Orthotic shoe inserts are built to relieve over-pronation by giving the arch support and offering increased strength to the compromised ankle joints. They can be inserted into many types of shoes, but it is important to choose a shoe that has sufficient arch support and a firm midsole as as starting point. The shoes you use with these types of inserts should be able to fit them. Frequently, by adding this additional arch support you will find it will bring more relief to your aching knees than using a knee brace. These devices work on your feet the same way that braces work to adjust your teeth. By making a proper arch they drive the ankle joint back into alignment, reducing the twisting on the knee and thus brings relief to the knee joint. Finding out the reason for your pain shouldn’t be difficult and using arch support inserts to resolve the pain is a simple answer. Taking care of our joints is the first step to leading long, productive lives. Paying attention to their needs can bring us a comfortable and happy state of health for years to come.

By: Fred Salomon

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Fred Salomon is a foot care specialist who specializes in the design of orthotic insoles for healing common foot problems such as flat feet. The use of appropriate orthotic shoe inserts plays a vital role in preventing many of these common foot health problems. You can find more information & treatment for many types of foot pain at www.footminders.com.