Our knees are critical joints in the body and have to withstand a high degree of stress on a day-to-day basis. Because of this, knee pain can be a common occurrence and have a wide range of potential causes. While it’s not typically a direct cause of knee pain, did you know that biomechanical problems in the feet can be significant contributors?
The body’s musculoskeletal system represents a highly interconnected kinetic chain. In the lower body especially, each component has to work together with the others in a very specific way. If any one part is out of balance with the others, it can result in an increased likelihood of pain and injury. Since the feet represent the end of the kinetic chain and are the point where the body contacts the ground and loads momentum for forward movement, many mechanical imbalances begin here.
To better understand the way that issues in the foot can contribute to knee pain, and how insoles can help, we’re sharing the following guide.
How foot mechanics affect the knees
The feet are mind-bogglingly complex and are made up of hundreds of bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It’s easy to take for granted how much motion is involved with each step, but to stay balanced and moving forward, the feet must perform an intricate ballet. This includes rolling forward and side to side, while using the arches to support the weight of the entire body.
If an aspect of these biomechanics becomes unbalanced or misaligned, it can increase the stress on neighboring regions, such as the ankles and knees. For example, people with overly high or low arches can be prone to rolling their feet too far outward or inward, respectively with each step. This in turn can cause pulling on the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the ankles and the knees. This increased stress can elevate a person’s risk for developing knee conditions that include:
- Runner’s knee
- Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome
- ACL and MCL sprains
- Arthritis
For people whose feet may be contributing to these and other sources of knee pain, insoles can help by addressing these mechanical and structural issues and evening out the kinetic chain.
Biocorrect insoles are crafted from biomechanical expertise
Everyone has different needs and wellness goals, and whether you work on your feet, are a serious fitness enthusiast or athlete, or are just trying to find pain relief, Biocorrect wants to help you. Our options include fully custom, semi-custom and ready-made insoles designed for people with all different foot types, biomechanics and levels of activity.
Learn more about our product line and how to receive a fitting when you visit our online store.
