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Why Do Arch Supports Make My Knees Feel Better?

Many non-injury causes of knee pain come from improper alignment of the legs and feet. Arch supports, or orthotics, that can correct foot alignment have been shown to improve the way the kneecap tracks and to reduce knee pain.

  1. Cause of Knee Pain

    • Knee pain in the middle of the knee that becomes worse during walking up or down stairs is called patellofemoral pain. One of the many causes is improper tracking of the kneecap due to internal rotation of the leg. The internal rotation can be caused by foot pronation (the foot rotates inward and the arch flattens out). This position causes misalignment of the entire leg and increases pain in the knee.

    How Orthotics Help

    • It has been theorized that correcting pronation with the use of arch supports can improve knee function and decrease pain. Lisa Johnston, P.T., M.S. and Michael Gross, P.T, Ph.D. of the University of North Carolina found that knee pain and stiffness were significantly improved after just two weeks of wearing custom-fitted foot orthoses.

    Best Orthotic to Use

    • The type of orthotic that works best for knee pain is a custom-fitted orthotic that will not only support the arch but also correct foot alignment. Soft, form-fitting orthotics are more comfortable for long-term use than hard, plastic orthotics.

    Finding Orthotics

    • Most podiatrists, who treat foot and ankle issues, can create custom-fitted orthotics. Many chiropractors also offer custom orthotics.

    Precaution

    • While wearing arch supports has been shown to improve knee pain, some studies are inconclusive and suggest that physiotherapy is just as effective. It is best to have knee pain evaluated for the specific cause before deciding on arch supports.

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