Login or Register

Running Shoes for People With Knee & Back Problems

May 26, 2011 | By Rachel Nall
Running Shoes for People With Knee & Back Problems
Photo Credit Barry Austin/Digital Vision/Getty Images

When you run, your foot strikes the ground and absorbs the initial shock from the impact. However, this shock radiates up your knee and back, placing added pressure on the joints there. To alleviate some of this pain, you should wear protective running shoes and replace them after every 350 to 450 miles you run to keep them from losing their supportiveness. Knowing what kind of shoes can address your back and knee pain can help you find relief.

What to Look For

Knee and back problems can be signs that you are overpronating, which means your ankle is rolling slightly inward. This means you should look for a tennis shoe that has a firm heel to protect against rolling the ankle. Take a shoe you are considering in your hand and make your hand in a C-curve around the back of the shoe. Push in on the shoe. If you are met with some resistance and the back of the shoe does not buckle in easily, the shoe can protect against overpronating. You also should look for shoes that address individual conditions related to your running pain. For example, if you have high arches, flat feet or ankle tendinitis, look for a shoe specifically designed for your foot type.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10

This shoe received high marks from Consumer Search, a website that evaluates products. The shoe is good for those with knee and ankle pain because it is designed to correct overpronation via strategically placed padding and arch support. The Adrenaline also is very stable in the ankle region. Responsive cushioning means the shoe can adapt to different surfaces, yet is strong enough to absorb shock before it heads to your knees and back. This shoe may be best suited for someone with a narrow foot.

Saucony ProGrid Omni 9

"Shape" magazine rated the Saucony ProGrid Omni 9 highly for its stability, which helps to ward off overpronating. This shoe features a special insert in the heel that has criss-cross fibers to cushion your heel, which also helps to protect your knees and back. However, the shoe is lightweight enough to prevent it from feeling heavy as you strike the ground.

Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10

"Fitness" magazine rated the Mizuno Wave Alchemy as "The Best Extra-Stability Running Shoe." This is due to the extra stability in the midsole provided by two pieces of foam plastic that prevent your foot from rolling in, yet are bendable enough to keep the shoe from being clunky. The arch support also makes the shoe a good fit if you have flat arches, which can otherwise place extra pull on the muscles that connect to the knee.

References

Article reviewed by GlennK Last updated on: May 26, 2011

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments