Flat feet causing knees to point in?

Asked by: Mark Lenze

The flattened foot arch causes the shin and thigh bones to abnormally twist inwards, adding stress on the knee joint and sometimes causing pain. Existing knee problems like ACL or meniscus tear can worsen and/or take longer to heal with a poor foot posture.

Can flat feet affect your knees?

Flat feet aren’t unusual and are usually caused by a lack of tendon support in the arches of the feet. However, this condition can cause pain in various other parts of the body, including the back, hips, and knees. People with flat feet might need help from a podiatrist to deal with these issues.

Can flat feet cause knee instability?

This is similar to the effect that flat feet can have on knees: they encourage the shinbone (tibia) to rotate slightly inwards. That can pull the kneecap (patella) and patellar tendon slightly inwards, creating a “knock-kneed” effect.

What are detrimental symptoms of flat feet?

Some issues caused by flat feet include:

• Inflammation of soft tissue.
• Foot, arch, and leg fatigue.
• Heel, foot, and ankle pain.
• Knee, hip, and lower back pain.
• Rolled-in ankles.
• Abnormal walking patterns.
• Shin splints.
• Bunions.

Can fallen arches cause knee problems?

When your arches fall, it causes rotational changes to the way your ankle moves. Those changes make their way up to your knee, resulting in patellofemoral pain syndrome or knee pain.

Can you correct flat feet?

Many people with flat feet don’t have significant problems or need treatment. Your healthcare provider may recommend nonsurgical treatments if you experience foot pain, stiffness or other issues. Rarely, people need surgery to fix rigid flat feet or problems with bones or tendons.

Can flat feet be corrected in adults?

In adults, flat feet usually remain permanently flat. Treatment usually addresses the symptoms rather than a cure. In adults the condition is called “acquired” flatfoot because it affects feet that at one point in time had a normal longitudinal arch. The deformity may worsen over time as one ages.

What problems can flat feet cause?

Flatfeet can sometimes contribute to problems in your ankles and knees because the condition can alter the alignment of your legs. If you aren’t having pain, no treatment is usually necessary for flatfeet.

How do you rebuild a flat foot arch?

Slowly lift your right heel as high as you can, focusing on strengthening your arch. Rotate your arch inward as your knee and calf rotate slightly to the side, causing your arch to become higher. Slowly lower back down to the starting position. Do 2–3 sets of 10–15 repetitions on both sides.

What does a podiatrist do for flat feet?

In severe cases, surgery may be required, however in most cases a podiatrist will be able to suggest proper footwear and orthotics as well as exercises and foot stretches to help your condition. Flatfoot is a condition many people suffer from.

Do orthotics Work for flat feet?

Custom orthotics can help flat feet by providing the exact support your feet need in order to prevent knee or ankle pain that is being caused by your flat feet. They can be used to postpone or even avoid surgery for problems that are the result of alignment issues.

Do arch supports help knee pain?

Proper arch support is essential for absorbing shock and distributing pressure throughout your feet, legs, and knees in a way that prevents injury and pain. An arch that’s too flat (or too high) leads to abnormal force distribution, which, in turn, strains your knee.

Can you correct knocked knees?

Guided growth surgery corrects knock knees by slowing the growth on the bent side of the bone so the other side can catch up. The surgeon implants small metal devices on the inner side of the growth plates around the knees. The outer side of the knees will continue to grow, causing the legs to grow straighter.

Why do my knees point inward?

Genu valgum, known as knock-knees, is a knee misalignment that turns your knees inward. When people with knock-knees stand up with their knees together, there’s a gap of 3 inches or more between their ankles. This is because their knees are bent so far inward.

Why do my knees turn inward?

excessive pressure on the knees – for example, as a result of obesity or loose knee ligaments (the bands of tissue around joints that connect bones to one another) an injury or infection affecting the knees or leg bones. genetic conditions affecting the development of the bones or joints.