Article by:
Amelia Grant
It's important to consider more than just aesthetics or foot pain while buying walking shoes. Pre-existing knee problems might be exacerbated by wearing the improper shoes.
If you have patellofemoral syndrome (kneecap pain on the outside due to improper alignment at the front of the knee), for example, you should wear a shoe designed for overpronators (i.e., stability control and arch support) to better align your knees while walking.
1. Not treating fallen arches
If you have fallen arches and your feet land flat on the ground while walking, you may experience increased knee pain over time.
The arch of the foot is particularly essential because it gives the foot and the rest of the body stability. When the arch collapses, the foot loses its stability, putting extra strain on the knee and causing the knee to cave inward, perhaps producing discomfort in the medial area of the knee.
2. Not engaging your hip and glute muscles while walking
Walking can actually be a mindless activity for some, but you can avoid knee pain by being conscious about where and how you're walking. To avoid knee discomfort, you should engage your hip and glute muscles while moving.
Although the glute muscles are a large and powerful muscle group, they can cause joint difficulties, such as knee troubles, if they are not engaged during lower body motions. With each step, the knee takes on extra weight or strain since the glutes are not engaged. Think of pushing the ground behind you with each stride to try to avoid knee pain.
3. Wearing the wrong shoes
It's important to consider more than just aesthetics or foot pain while buying walking shoes. Pre-existing knee problems might be exacerbated by wearing the improper shoes.
If you have patellofemoral syndrome (kneecap pain on the outside due to improper alignment at the front of the knee), for example, you should wear a shoe designed for overpronators (i.e., stability control and arch support) to better align your knees while walking.
If you have arthritis in the medial (inside) part of your knee, however, you should use a shoe designed for over-supinators (low arch) or use a lateral post insert to better align your knees for walking.
4. Walking through the pain
While everyone experiences some discomfort throughout their workouts, if you ignore the pain, you could be putting yourself at risk for catastrophic knee damage. Pain is a signal that something is wrong and that you should stop. Anything that causes discomfort should be avoided at all costs.
The Bottom Line
Knee discomfort isn't always serious. However, if left untreated, some knee injuries and medical disorders, such as osteoarthritis, can lead to increased pain, joint deterioration, and disability. And having a knee injury, even if it's mild, increases your chances of more injuries in the future.
If your knee discomfort persists, your doctor may recommend therapies to address the underlying problem. This could include attempting to strengthen your hip muscles or seeking assistance with foot issues, both of which can contribute to knee pain. Treatment will be recommended by a doctor based on the issue that is causing your discomfort.
Knee pain can affect your mood, especially if it lasts for a long time, and being depressed might exacerbate your discomfort. It's critical to seek help if you're depressed or anxious. This could be a neighbor, a family member, a friend, a partner, a doctor, or someone else you trust.
For most types of knee discomfort, surgery or injections into the knee are not suggested. This is because non-invasive treatments often work just as well as or better than intrusive procedures.
An injection is unlikely to provide a cure in and of itself. Furthermore, injections may not be beneficial for all knee ailments, and injections may induce negative effects in some cases.