Knee Pain

Our podiatrists help adults and children manage knee pain from a range of causes. The knees have a strong relationship with the rest of the lower limbs, meaning we often find the answers to the cause of a person’s knee pain by looking at what’s happening with the muscles, ligaments, bones and positioning of their feet and legs.

Knee Pain Is Becoming A Big Problem

The knee is the largest and most complex weight-bearing joint in the body. It takes on forces equivalent to 1.5 times your body weight when you’re walking across level ground. When running, this rises to almost seven times the body weight on the tendon at the front of our knee, and up to eleven times our body weight on the patellofemoral joint, where the kneecap meets the thigh bone.

The rate of knee injuries and knee pain is on the rise here in Australia, in adults and especially in kids aged 5-14 years. This is thought to be associated with growing participation rates in sports like soccer, basketball and netball, all of which place significant pressure on the knees.

Knees And Knee Pain: The Basics

To give a brief overview of the knee, the knee joint includes three bones: the end of the thigh bone (femur), the end of the shin bone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella). It's a synovial joint because it contains synovial fluid (explained below). 

Inside the knee joint, where the femur and tibia meet, their surfaces are covered with a smooth, strong layer of cartilage (articular cartilage). This cartilage helps the bones move smoothly over each other when you bend or straighten your knee, and it also absorbs some of the impact when you're walking or running. To keep everything moving easily, a thin layer of joint fluid, called synovial fluid, works like a lubricant, reducing friction between the bones.

The kneecap sits in front of the knee joint, providing extra protection. Around the knee, a strong network of ligaments, tendons, and muscles also work together to hold the joint in place and keep it stable.

Causes Of Knee Pain

While the causes of knee pain depend on which injury you have, it is common for knee pain to be caused by poor foot posture and biomechanics. Poor foot posture can lead to an altered walking pattern, putting more strain on the knee joint and the surrounding soft tissues.

If you have flat feet or rotation issues, it may contribute to your knee pain if it’s forcing the knee to roll inwards into an abnormal position when you're standing, walking or running. People with high arches may also experience knee pain related to their foot type, as their feet are unable to successfully absorb shock from everyday activities, putting more strain on the knees. 

If not treated properly or left untreated, knee pain can impact how you walk, and long-term poor foot posture can cause pain or problems in your hips, lower back, and even in areas up to your neck.  

Find out more about some of the common causes of knee pain, or talk with one of our Brisbane podiatry clinics about what treatments we offer to fix it. 

Common Causes Of Knee Pain

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