Flatfoot and Knee Pain: What Every Patient Should Know?

"The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to reduce your  knee pain linked to flatfoot"

Did you know that flatfoot (fallen arches) may increase your risk of knee pain and osteoarthritis?

Flatfoot occurs when the arch of the foot collapses, causing the entire sole to touch the ground.

This collapse doesn’t only affect our feet ,it can also change leg alignment and put an extra stress on our knees, leading to pain, stiffness, and joint wear over time.

How Flatfoot affects the kness

Flatfoot causes the leg to rotate inwards. This decreases the normal distance between the end of the thigh bone (femor) and the upper part of the shin bone (tibia) at the knee ,increasing pressure on the inner side of the joint.

Over time, the protective cartilage (which acts like a cushion inside the knee ) begins to wear down more quickly.

As the cartilage thins, the bones rub against each other, leading to knee osteoarthritis with pain and stiffness.

Common symptoms

People with flatfoot and knee problems may notice:

• Knee pain after activity.

• Stiffness in the knee, especially in the morning or after sitting.

• Reduced function, such as difficulty bending or climbing stairs.

• A feeling of fatigue in the legs due to poor alignment.

Why this matters to you?

• Flatfoot isn’t only a foot shape issue,it has direct impacts on your knees.

• The more your feet arch collapses , the more likely you are to experience knee pain and stiffness.

• These biomechanical changes in leg alignment and pressure distribution,can accelerate knee Osteoarthritis symptoms.

  
  

What you can do about it?

The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to reduce your  knee pain linked to flatfoot:

• People can wear supportive shoes or insoles to restore your arch and protect your knees, but it’s not suitable for everyone.

• Do stretching and strengthening exercises for your feet and legs to improve balance and reduce strain.

• Pay attention to early signs such as knee stiffness or discomfort,early action makes recovery easier.

• Get professional help: At Talus Foot Doctors, our team can assess your feet and knees and give the best recommendations for you .

How can we help you?

We understand how hard it can be to live with foot or ankle pain.

At Talus Foot doctors, we don’t just treat the case, we walk with you every step of the way to help you regain your well being.

Ready to make the change you need?

Click here to book your appointment. Your recovery starts today.

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Author

Dr. Moayad Ayoub

Orthopedic surgeon and traumatologist, specialist in complex trauma surgery, pathology, and foot and hand surgery.

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References:

1 - A Strong Correlation Between the Severity of Flatfoot and Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis in 95 Patients. 2- Flat Feet Are Associated With Knee Pain and Cartilage Damage in Older Adults.