Did you know that the health of your knees is often determined by the state of your feet? Knee pain can be caused by an injury, such as a torn ligament or cartilage, or it can be caused by osteoarthritis. Knee pain, however, is also often the result of our feet. As such, it is critical to correctly evaluate the problem in order to cure it before the pain worsens. Your podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the care of your feet and, by extension, your knees. Read on to learn how the health of your knees is related to the health of your feet.
The most common knee pains
Knee pain may be incredibly distressing, and it can occur as a result of anything as simple as placing your foot down. Because of this, knee pain can be a constant stumbling block in our everyday lives. So why is it that our knees’ health is so frequently jeopardized? Of course, age plays a role, but there are also specific conditions like osteoarthritis, participating in certain sports, being overweight, having a poorly healed injury, working in a physically demanding profession, or even having a biomechanically imbalanced foot. Patellofemoral syndrome, for example, is widespread in athletes and those who engage in physically demanding jobs.
Knee pain, regardless of its cause, may be severe and even crippling in certain cases. It is critical to see a podiatrist as soon as you notice its signs.
Causes of knee pain
In addition to the conditions already described, a variety of other factors can cause knee pain, including the above-mentioned patellofemoral pain syndrome, which is produced by excessive pronation of the foot, forcing an internal rotation of the leg. Irritation and inflammation around the patella might thus result from this condition. The pain becomes most noticeable when performing activities that require bending the knee, such as squatting or ascending stairs. Meanwhile, the pain in the iliotibial band syndrome is very similar, but it occurs on the outside border of the knee joint. “Runner’s knee” is a common term for this type of discomfort, for running is a common cause of runner’s knee, as the name implies. Many other sports and activities, including ordinary walking, hiking, cycling, and jumping, as well as contact sports, can induce knee pain.
In trying to adjust for foot discomfort or damage, a person’s stride may shift, affecting their overall health. By modifying the motion, deficiencies in the foot bones might potentially cause knee pain. For instance, Osgood Schlatter’s disease, which is an inflammation of the tibial growth plate that most commonly affects active children, is caused by the quadriceps muscles pulling on the patellar tendon, which pushes on the tibial tuberosity. The tibial growth plate becomes inflamed as a result of this continuous pressure on the patella. All of the instances described above would warrant the intervention of a podiatrist.
Which treatment options should be considered for knee health?
Foot pain affects not just the knees, but the back and hips as well. This is why you need to see a podiatrist in order to get the right treatment and get your knees back to normal. Depending on the precise ailment causing your discomfort, the podiatrist may also recommend physical therapy or various forms of strengthening exercises in addition to foot orthoses. If you are physically active or participate in sports, you may need to implement specific workouts to enhance your technique and correct the motions that impact your knees. Surgical therapy may be required depending on the nature and severity of the problem. A visit with a podiatrist will provide you with all of the information you need to know about the best treatment for your knees.
FootNetwork can help you get your knees back in shape
If you have knee pain, do not hesitate to consult a podiatrist so that you can get to the root of the problem right away. A podiatrist will be able to diagnose and treat your discomfort, whether it is caused by a sprain, torn ligaments, osteoarthritis, or any other ailment. Make an appointment with a podiatrist at a FootNetwork clinic near you as soon as possible. The specialists at FootNetwork understand the importance of mobility, which is why we are dedicated to assisting you in restoring the health of your knees as fast as possible.
