Sports Med Blog

Knee hurt? You might need new running shoes.

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Published on Monday, 29 March 2010 05:00

Written by Anne Moss Rogers

Many times an inflamed knee or swelling, ankle pain, shin splints, Achilles pain, hip or itb band pain is the result of worn out shoes. It can also point out that you need orthotics. You might be tempted by cheap shoes but stick with what works for you. It's better to pay $100 plus for good shoes and orthotics than to run to the doctor 10 times, take unnecessary prescriptions or cause an injury to worsen.

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While everyone has a formula for mileage, I simply buy shoes when I get an inflamed bursa sac under my knee or an achy Achilles. It flairs when my shoes are worn out. I get a new pair and it's gone. However, if I put it off, one thing after another starts to hurt and then I have to take a break when all I needed to do was replace my running shoes.

The point is your pain elsewhere is often the result of a biomechanics issue--typically it starts with your feet or your gait. Compensate for one "hurt" and you end up creating another. So be sure to get fitted with shoes that are right for your feet. It can prevent a lot of pain and swelling in the hips, joints and lower limbs.