How Foot Mechanics Affect Your Knees, Hips, and Back

When patients come to Restore Foot and Ankle Specialists with knee, hip, or lower back pain, they’re often surprised when we start by examining their feet.

“What do my feet have to do with my back?”

The answer: everything.

Your feet are the foundation of your entire body. The way they move, absorb shock, and support your weight directly affects how stress travels upward through your ankles, knees, hips, and spine. When foot mechanics are off—even slightly—it can create a chain reaction of pain far beyond the foot itself.

Your Feet: The Foundation of Movement

Each step you take sends force from the ground up through your body. Ideally, your feet:

• Absorb impact

• Provide stability

• Distribute pressure evenly

When this system works well, your joints move efficiently. When it doesn’t, other parts of your body are forced to compensate.

Over time, those compensations can lead to pain, inflammation, and joint damage.

Common Foot Mechanics That Cause Problems

Overpronation (Feet Rolling Inward)

Overpronation occurs when the arch collapses too much while walking. This can:

• Rotate the lower leg inward

• Increase stress on the knees

• Alter hip alignment

• Strain the lower back

Many patients with chronic knee pain or IT band issues have underlying overpronation they didn’t realize existed.

Supination (Feet Rolling Outward)

Supination places excessive pressure on the outer edge of the foot and limits shock absorption. This can lead to:

• Increased impact on the knees

• Hip stiffness

• Lower back discomfort

• Stress fractures or ankle instability

Flat Feet and Collapsing Arches

Flat or flexible arches often cause the foot to become unstable. This instability travels upward, leading to:

• Knee misalignment

• Hip overuse

• Lower back fatigue and pain

Flat feet don’t always cause foot pain—but they frequently cause knee and back pain.

How Foot Problems Affect the Knees

The knee is a hinge joint designed to bend and straighten—not twist excessively. Poor foot mechanics can force the knee into abnormal rotation, increasing the risk of:

• Patellofemoral pain

• Meniscus irritation

• Ligament strain

• Early arthritis

Many patients treat knee pain without realizing the true cause starts at the foot.

The Impact on the Hips

Your hips play a major role in balance and movement. When your feet don’t provide proper support:

• Hip muscles overwork to stabilize the body

• Joint stress increases

• Gait becomes inefficient

This often presents as hip tightness, pain when walking, or discomfort when standing for long periods.

Why the Lower Back Often Suffers

When alignment issues travel up the body, the lower back frequently becomes the “shock absorber of last resort.” This can lead to:

• Muscle fatigue

• Poor posture

• Chronic lower back pain

• Reduced mobility

Back pain caused by foot mechanics is often overlooked—and therefore undertreated.

Why Treating the Foot Can Relieve Upper-Body Pain

When foot mechanics are corrected:

• Joints realign naturally

• Muscles stop overcompensating

• Stress is distributed more evenly

• Movement becomes more efficient

This is why addressing foot function often improves pain in areas far from the foot itself.

How We Evaluate Foot Mechanics at Restore Foot and Ankle Specialists

Our approach looks at the whole body, not just where pain is felt. Evaluation may include:

• Gait analysis

• Biomechanical assessment

• Foot structure evaluation

• Postural alignment review

From there, we create personalized treatment plans that may include:

• Custom orthotics

• Footwear recommendations

• Stretching and strengthening programs

• Advanced conservative treatments

When to See a Podiatrist

You should consider an evaluation if you have:

• Chronic knee, hip, or back pain

• Pain that hasn’t improved with traditional treatment

• Foot pain or fatigue

• Uneven shoe wear

• Pain that worsens with walking or standing

Early intervention can prevent years of discomfort.

The Bottom Line

Pain in your knees, hips, or back doesn’t always start where it hurts. Faulty foot mechanics can quietly disrupt your entire body, leading to chronic pain and mobility issues.

At Restore Foot and Ankle Specialists, we treat the foundation first—so everything above it can function the way it’s supposed to.

If pain keeps returning despite treatment, it may be time to start from the ground up. Contact our office today with Dr. Gireesh Reddy or Dr. Sirisha Pokala by calling (469) 573-3427 or by booking an appointment online.