Best Shoes for Knee Pain
Knees are a pretty incredible joint. The knee is the largest joint in the human body and takes huge forces of impact on a daily basis. We need our knees for all types of movement, from sitting and standing to walking and running.
We often think of relieving foot pain when we look for a new shoe, but our knees often need just as much support. Proper footwear can serve as a foundation for your knees to put them in the best position to recover and heal.
The best shoes for knees and bad feet—including the best shoes for arthritic knees—offer ample shock absorption, support, and stability to help neutralize alignment and redirect stress away from sensitive joints—just like KURU shoes.
Knee pain can stem from a wide variety of injuries and medical conditions. It can be caused by acute injuries like ACL or meniscus tears, more long-term overuse injuries such as tendonitis, or medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis or gout.
One simple conversative treatment option for knee pain is to wear high-quality footwear. The best shoes for knee pain relief are those that provide ample cushion, arch support, and stability for the utmost comfort.
KURU offers high-quality supportive footwear with patented technology that cups and supports the heel to help encourage your body to a more natural alignment.
Another effective way to alleviate knee pain is by incorporating yoga into your daily routine. Yoga poses can help to stretch and strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee joint, providing additional support and reducing the risk of further injury. One such pose is Dandasana, also known as staff pose, which can help alleviate knee pain by strengthening the quadriceps and hamstrings. Check out the video below to learn how to properly perform Dandasana and reap the benefits for your knees.
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ArthritisArthritis is inflammation of a joint that can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including natural wear and tear or an underlying medical condition.Arthritis
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OsteoarthritisDistinct from arthritis, osteoarthritis is a condition associated with natural aging. It occurs when the cartilage within your joints begins to wear down.Osteoarthritis
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Acute or overuse injuryA one-time high-impact injury or a consistent pattern of overuse can contribute to knee pain. Common knee injuries include damage to the ACL, meniscus tears, bursitis, and tendonitis.Acute or overuse injury
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TendinopathyInflammation or damage to the tendon can lead to pain in the patellar tendon or other tendons of the knee.Tendinopathy
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Under or over pronation of the ankleRolling inward or outward from your ankle too far—can cause cascading alignment issues and pain in your knee.Under or over pronation of the ankle
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Wearing poor quality footwearSince high heels or poor-quality shoes can cause you to alter your gait or walk differently to avoid pain, they can lead to alignment issues and knee pain.Wearing poor quality footwear
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Knee Pain Symptoms:
• Pain on the top of the knee cap, inside the knee, or immediately underneath
• Pain with movement
• Weakness or instability in the joint
• Swelling or redness
• Stiffness while bending or straightening the knee
Your doctor can provide the best pathway forward to diagnose and treat your condition. For a few tips on conservative treatments you can try at home, check out our knee pain treatment section below.
Facts and Stats
We take a look at some facts and stats you might not have known about knee pain. Read on to find out more!
- One-third of Americans report knee pain at some point in their lifetime.
- Babies are born without kneecaps. The joint develops between 2 and 6 years of age.
- The knee is the largest joint in the human body.
- There are four major ligaments in the knee, three major tendons, and four bones.
- The best shoes for knee and back pain are those that provide adequate arch support, shock absorption and comfort.
When treating knee pain, we recommend checking with your doctor who can formally assess your symptoms, perform any needed imaging tests, and offer a diagnosis and treatment plan.
One effective way to help treat knee pain symptoms is to wear high quality shoes for knee pain.
We unpack a few additional conservative knee pain treatment options below.
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Use the R.I.C.E. methodInflammation from knee pain can come in the form of pain, swelling, or redness in the affected area. Ice and rest your knee (if you can elevate it with a pillow, even better!) as you recover.Use the R.I.C.E. method
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Modify exercise for low-impact activitiesIf you are active with weight-bearing or high-impact activities such as walking or jogging, consider modifying your exercise routine to practice low-impact activities such as swimming and biking.Modify exercise for low-impact activities
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Strengthening exercisesStrengthening your hips, quadriceps, and other surrounding muscles can help support your joints. Consult your doctor or physical therapist for an exercise program best suited for your unique needs.Strengthening exercises
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Warm up before activityPracticing healthy habits of warming up key muscle groups before exercise can help reduce your risk of injury.Warm up before activity
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Wear supportive footwearThe best shoes for bad knees offer plenty of arch support and shock-absorbing cushion. Wearing high-quality footwear consistently can help alleviate painful symptoms in both your feet and knees.Wear supportive footwear
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I just received a pair of your shoes and my feet are sore/hurt after wearing them. Why is that?
Some customers experience tenderness when they first start wearing a new pair of KURUs. That’s ok! Your body may need time to adjust to the new levels of anatomical support you experience with our patented KURUSOLE technology. Our shoes are also designed to mold to your unique foot shape, which takes a bit of a break-in period.
To help mitigate this, we suggest you follow our break-in procedure, including wearing your KURUs for a couple hours per day around the house in the first couple of weeks as they break in and form to your foot.
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Can I use custom Orthotics with KURU shoes?
Due to the anatomical shape of the KURUSOLE, custom orthotics with a rounded heel fit best inside our shoes. If the underside of the custom orthotic (the part that sits on the footbed) is squared off, then it may not fit into our deep heel cup—which is rounded like your foot.
That said, many of our customers tell us the KURUSOLE technology offers better support and stability than they expected, and that they don’t need to wear their custom orthotics with KURU shoes.
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Are your shoes considered orthopedic shoes?
While our shoes are not currently considered orthopedic by a medical standard, we have received thousands of positive reviews from customers who say their KURUs helped reduce or eliminate their pain—from knee arthritis to pain from flat feet!
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How do I know which shoes to buy? Which is best for me?
The best shoe for you will depend on your unique foot type. The best shoes for knee and hip pain are comfortable and supportive. KURUs line of pain-relieving comfort shoes absorb shock and reduce stress on joints to help alleviate painful symptoms (including plantar fasciitis!).
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At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. …Show More
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps us utilize our body’s natural cushioning system: the heel’s fat pad so you get more support with each step.
…Show lessKURUCLOUD
Our KURUCLOUD base layer acts as a cushioned footbed to offer padding and shock absorption with every step. This layer of dense EVA …Show More
Our KURUCLOUD base layer acts as a cushioned footbed to offer padding and shock absorption with every step. This layer of dense EVA foam helps absorb impact to your foot, including the ball of the foot, which can help reduce the risk of pain and injury to this area.
…Show lessULTIMATE INSOLE
The top layer of our tech trio, ULTIMATE INSOLES feature a bridge of arch support and premium, dual-density polyurethane foam. These durable, cushioned …Show More
The top layer of our tech trio, ULTIMATE INSOLES feature a bridge of arch support and premium, dual-density polyurethane foam. These durable, cushioned 5mm insoles provide lasting support and comfort—especially for those with ball of foot pain.
…Show less
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps us utilize our body’s natural cushioning system: the heel’s fat pad so you get more support with each step.
Fine, We’ll Tell You Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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