Our feet are a complex structure of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints that must all work together for proper function. If feet are abnormally positioned or alignment is off, the rest of the body could suffer. Imbalance can also lead to our muscles compensating to attempt to regain balance and function. Custom made orthotics or prefabricated over-the-counter insoles can effectively treat issues in the feet and therefore treat pain and discomfort further up the chain.
When standing, the body is a closed kinetic chain, meaning what happens in the feet can affect the ankles, knees, hips and back. If the feet are abnormally positioned or their alignment is off, the rest of the body could suffer. Let’s investigate lower body issues that could benefit from a pair of orthotics!
Ankle Pain
Overpronation is usually associated with a flat foot type and over supination with a high arched foot. Both foot types can cause increased strain or compression on the structures surrounding the ankle joint. Ankle joint instability is a common issue encountered at BioPed Footcare. It can be a result of weakness around the ankle or a history of frequent ankle sprains.
Knee Pain
The position of the heel plays an important role in the alignment of the rest of the lower body, including the knees. Foot pronation will put more strain on the inside or medial structures of the knee including tendons and ligaments. Supination reduces the amount of motion in the foot, which reduces the amount of shock that can be absorbed with impact.
Hip Pain
Bursitis and arthritis are common issues that affect the hip joint. Bursitis develops when a fluid-filled sack around the joint called a bursa becomes inflamed. Bursae cushion the bones, tendons and muscles around your joints and can become inflamed when overused or an injury occurs. Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of the cushioning cartilage in the joint.
Lower Back Pain
Pain in the lower back is a common struggle for many people. Back pain can cause us to adjust our gait in order to move about more comfortably, causing a domino effect in our body’s closed kinetic chain. On the flip side, overpronation and hypermobility in the feet increases internal rotation of the legs and excessive supination decreases range of motion in the feet, leading to more impact travelling up the body to the lower back.
Come See Us
At BioPed Footcare, we are skilled at making custom orthotics, however an over-the-counter insole could also help achieve your goals! Kneed insoles are a particular brand carried at BioPed and come in a variety of styles to suit your sport/activity and your needs. They are well made with some flexibility and will fit the shoes you love. Kneed insoles can produce great results! Like custom orthotics, over-the-counter insoles can also be modified to better suit the wearer.
If you are suffering with foot, ankle, knee, hip or back pain and discomfort, give your local BioPed a call to make an appointment with one of our lower limb clinicians. We have treatment options for you including orthotics, footwear, and bracing. The joints in our bodies are connected, your treatment plan ought to be as well!
