When it affects you, it doesn’t matter how common knee pain is; you simply need to get past it to get on with life. Could something as simple as a change of shoes be causing your issue? It’s possible.
The mechanics of walking have a big influence on the condition of your knees, and if pain has started in the absence of injury or other condition, consider your footwear.
As a knee pain expert, Dr. James Nassiri of Westside Pain Specialists can help you manage your symptoms when you require more than a new pair of shoes. Contact the nearest office to set up a personal consultation.
Knee injuries are perhaps the most well-known reasons behind pain, since professional athletes frequently suffer highly publicized knee damage. These can include fractures, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage, a torn meniscus, bursitis, and tendinitis.
Though you may not compete on a world-class level, sports participation while wearing the wrong shoes could increase your risk of injury. Understand the demands of your sport and choose a shoe that supports you against the types of motion that are most likely to result in knee injuries.
Some of those sports injuries, such as bursitis and tendinitis, result from repeated use causing wear or irritation that leads to inflammation and pain. This might be a problem with a job that requires standing, sitting, or walking, or any activity that occurs through major portions of your day.
Once again, inadequate footwear can make it more likely that you’ll suffer this type of knee damage.
Pronation describes the inward roll of your foot when you’re walking. Rather than being neutral, level-footed, and centered with evenly distributed weight, pronated feet rotate into the arch, giving your knees an inward bend.
Beyond the knee pain this misalignment can cause, it may create a chain reaction of problems through your hips and into your back.
Any factor that assists this inward roll of your feet can cause knee pain. A common culprit is lack of arch support in your shoes. Inexpensive or casual shoes, sandals, or flip-flops often have minimal cushioning and no arch support at all, allowing for foot pronation. Even when it’s not detectable visually, this creates a knock-kneed posture.
This unbalanced knee position can lead to repetitive strain issues while also increasing your risks of knee injuries related to movement under load. If you naturally have low or collapsed arches, pronation problems can be magnified by shoes with little to no support.
The right shoe can reduce your chances of developing knee pain, and it may also help to reduce pain you’re already suffering. Well-cushioned shoes are an obvious choice, since impact absorption reduces the burden on your knees.
Athletic shoes are often a good choice, as they’re often designed to control both foot motion and stability.
Look also to the soles of your shoes for firmness in the mid portion, under the arch. This is as important as dedicated arch support inside the shoe. A well-supported arch resists pronation, helping you to sidestep pain.
As you wait for your new footwear to pay dividends, visit Westside Pain Specialists in Beverly Hills or Rancho Cucamonga, California, to manage knee pain as you recover. Call the closest office directly to arrange your pain assessment today.
We offer treatment for neck pain, back pain, sports injuries, along with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Call us to book your appointment today.
