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Pronation & Hip Pain

Pronation, a normal inward motion in the foot during walking, can cause problems when taken to extremes. Overpronation can lead to pain in hips, knees or ankles as it transfers body weight up the leg bones with too much rotational force, causing joint strain. Common solutions include proper footwear, including orthotic foot supports if necessary, and exercises to stretch and strengthen the tendons. If the hip or other joint becomes too damaged over time, it may develop chronic pain from arthritis, possibly necessitating surgery.

  1. Pronation and Supination

    • According to sports trainer Brad Walker, the foot performs two different types of "rolling" motions when walking or running. Supination describes an outward bend in the foot and ankle when pushing off on the foot. Pronation describes the corresponding inward angle of the foot and ankle when the foot lands on the ground. These motions occur as a normal part of getting around, but taken to extremes, they can cause flat feet, sprains, calluses and pains in the knees, back and hips. The Fox Mill Foot and Ankle Center, noting that overpronation and flat feet often occur together, uses the two terms interchangeably.

    Hip Pain

    • Rheumatologist Nathan Wei states that overpronation can cause hip pain through a phenomenon known as hip flexor strain. In this situation, the excessive pronation adds extra rotation in the leg all the way up to the hip, stressing the joint. The added pressure on the arch of the foot also makes its way up the leg to the hip, making matters worse. Hip trouble can be hard to diagnose, Wei explains, because it can manifest as back or thigh pain.

    Footwear

    • The right footwear can support the feet to help prevent excess pronation, according to Brian Walker. A podiatrist can analyze walking patterns to see where the feet may need support or correction and recommend an appropriate insole or shoe style. Orthotic inserts can offer additional support. According to Foot.com, a custom-fitted orthotic insert can provide extra arch support to keep flat feet from overpronating.

    Strategies for Athletes

    • Brad Walker advises warming up the muscles and tendons of the legs and feet before any kind of athletic activity. Stretching exercises can help free the tendons and muscles to move naturally without overexerting themselves into exaggerated pronation or supination.

    Surgery

    • While corrective footwear can usually decrease overpronation and its associated health problems, severe cases may require surgery, according to the orthotics company FootSmart. A podiatrist or orthopedic specialist can determine whether to pursue this measure. Incorrect weight distribution in the feet can also lead to arthritis in the affected joints, according to Beverly Hills Aesthetic Foot Surgery. The Mayo Clinic lists hip replacement as a common surgery for a degenerated or arthritic hip joint.

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