Knee pain caused by foot posture

Many knee complaints start at the feet. If the foot rolls too far inwards with every step, the lower leg rotates with it and the knee is loaded unevenly. This can lead to pain around the kneecap, runner's knee or extra wear.

Symptoms and causes

  • Pain around or behind the kneecap on stairs, squatting or sitting for long (patellofemoral pain)
  • Pain on the outside of the knee when running or cycling (runner's knee)
  • Pain just below the kneecap when jumping (jumper's knee)
  • Pain on the inside of the knee with wear (knee osteoarthritis)

How handmade insoles help

An insole that limits rolling inwards lets the lower leg rotate less and loads the knee more evenly. For pain around the kneecap, an international consensus recommends foot orthoses for short-term pain relief alongside exercise therapy. For knee osteoarthritis, customisation, cushioning and arch support matter more than a simple wedge.

Cork insole being ground by hand

What you can do – and when to see a doctor

Strengthen your hip and thigh muscles, build up sport gradually and choose shoes that suit your foot posture.

If the pain does not improve after a few weeks, if there is swelling, redness or loss of sensation, or if you have diabetes or rheumatism, also have the complaint assessed by your GP.

Other common foot complaints

Scientific evidence

  1. International consensus: foot orthoses are recommended to reduce pain around the kneecap in the short term, alongside exercise therapy. Collins NJ, Barton CJ, van Middelkoop M, et al. 2018 Consensus statement on exercise therapy and physical interventions (orthoses, taping and manual therapy) to treat patellofemoral pain. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52:1170-1178. PubMed 29925502
  2. Custom, full-length insoles with shock absorption and arch support performed best; they improve knee alignment, while the effect on pain varies. Zafar AQ, Zamani R, Akrami M The effectiveness of foot orthoses in the treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Gait Posture. 2020;76:238-251. PubMed 31874456
  3. A simple lateral wedge insole is not better than a neutral insole for knee osteoarthritis – customisation and the right correction matter. Parkes MJ, Maricar N, Lunt M, et al. Lateral wedge insoles as a conservative treatment for pain in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2013;310:722-730. PubMed 23989797

Trouble with your feet? We are happy to help.

First consultation usually within 1 week, in Oldenzaal, Denekamp or Losser.

Make an appointment (+31) 06 - 103 425 74
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