There are so many reasons why you might be experiencing pain in your knee. One of those reasons may be something you never even thought of – you may be wearing the wrong shoes! It’s true! Some people think that if they get a walking shoe with extra cushioning or buy special insoles that it will solve all their knee problems, but this isn’t necessarily true. It really is all about how your feet fit into a particular pair of shoes and how you walk in them. Here’s why your shoes may be causing your knee pain.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When it comes to choosing the right shoes, it’s important to remember that no one shoe brand works for everyone. What is comfortable for one may be completely wrong for someone else. The features of shoes that you need, such as cushioning and support, vary from person to person depending on the characteristics of your feet. The design of a shoe affects how the shoe feels on your foot and whether it creates pressure points, which can affect your gait and cause knee pain. If you wear the following types of shoes and are experiencing knee pain, assume it’s no coincidence.
Flip Flops
Who doesn’t love a fun pair of flip flops? However, flip-flops could be contributing to your knee pain. Flip flops cause a shortening of the gait, which reduces a comfortable movement, leading to increased lower body fatigue. It would be unreasonable to ask you to give up flip-flops altogether, so instead, you can look for a more structured pair of flip-flops; many are constructed with great support and may actually be good for your feet. Avoid flip flops that are flimsy or worn out. If you do wear flip flops, stretching your feet and legs occasionally is important to relieve the pressure off of your feet.
High Heels
Women may love the way they look, but they can take their roll on the feet and legs. That’s because wearing high heels puts a strain on the shin muscles and the feet, which could lead to knee pain. In addition, the height of the heels can cause a shortening of your calf muscles, which can also lead to foot and knee pain. If you must wear heels, a massage of the shin muscles afterward can help. Doing regular stretching and relaxing the calves is also a good way to prevent knee pain caused by wearing high heels. There are different types of heels you can buy; ones with a lower heel can do less damage to your knees than the really high ones. Heels with a sturdy platform offer a little more durability and can keep you on balance.
Flats
You may think that flats are good for your feet and a better alternative than heels, but it depends on the type of flat. Some flat shoes lack any kind of support, which can lead to overstretching of the tendons and ligaments along the bottom of the feet. This overstretching can eventually collapse the arch of your foot, which can impact your knees. When choosing a pair of flat shows, be sure to look for ones that have enough internal support to prevent this from happening.
Where Should I Go Shoe Shopping?
There are resources available that can help you choose the right pair of shoes for your feet in order to avoid knee pain and any other orthopedic condition. There are specialty stores where staff can examine the structure of your feet, watch you walk, and then make recommendations that are tailored for your specific needs.
When Should I Go Shoe Shopping?
Throughout the day, our feet swell. Since our feet are most swollen later in the day, it is recommended that you try on shoes then. Walk around for a while to see how the shoes make you feel. The right shoe should feel comfortable right away and should not require any breaking in. If it’s uncomfortable in the store, it will be even more uncomfortable when you leave the store and are on your feet a lot. You may also consider getting fitted for a pair of orthotics to make sure your feet, knees, and hip are stable and supported. Remember, when it comes to orthopedics, it’s all connected!
The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey is eager to serve you. You can call (973) 989-0888 or you can use our appointment request form to schedule your consultation. Our office is fluent in English, Spanish, and French and we welcome all our current and new patients to address their orthopedic needs.
