Top 10 Best Running Shoes for Knee Pain

Consider getting shoes that have additional cushioning as this will reduce the shock impact on your knees. These types of shoes have the ability to fully absorb shock, hence the shock can’t reach the knees. They will help if you are walking or running on a tough terrain. Padded shoes also have the same features as well-cushioned shoes.

Look for firm soles if you happen to suffer from over-pronation. This is a condition that is common among runners who have low arches. Over-pronation is one of the reasons that the lower knee and leg tends to have an inward rotation every time the runner’s foot strikes the ground. The rotation in turn leads to a painful strain on the knee.

If your knee pain persists and hasn’t improved even after wearing specialized shoes, it might be time to consider using specialized orthotics. For this, you will need to consult a trained professional who will then take molds of your feet in different positions, in order to see how your foot position sparks knee pain. Using these molds they will create custom insoles which should align the foot and ankle better, hopefully putting an end to your medial or lateral pain.

Common Symptoms and Complaints of Knee Pain

Patients complain about a dull, aching pain that leads to sharp localized pain in the front of the knee, especially while going up or down hills and stairs. They may feel stiffness and grinding sensation when bending, squatting, or climbing stairs. The patient may have the sensation of the knee "giving away" beneath them.

Common symptoms and complaints

Patients complain about a dull, aching pain that leads to sharp localized pain in the front of the knee, especially while going up or down hills and stairs. They may feel stiffness and grinding sensation when bending, squatting, or climbing stairs. The patient may have the sensation of the knee "giving away" beneath them.

The Criteria We Looked For When Selecting The Best Running Shoes For Knee Pain

There are a few things that we looked at closely to make sure we found the right choices to help ease the pain of running with knees problems. Many runners experience pain, but don't want to let it slow them down. The picks on our list should do just that, so it is important they each meet the criteria which we feel would make them the most suitable options.

Support and Stability

As some knee problems can actually stem from issues with motion control or lack of proper stability, many of our choices are also good for providing other needed support. This footwear can be suitable for other conditions such as overpronation or underpronation. Running without the necessary amount of stability needed for these types of foot conditions can actually add to the stress on the knee, causing more issues and further discomfort while running.

Comfort

Really, who wants to run in a shoe that is terribly uncomfortable? Right, nobody wants that. Each of our picks have their own proprietary technologies when it comes to upper and underfoot comfort, but most have many things in common with each other. The models on our list have to provide enough underfoot comfort to alleviate some of the stress that will transfer to the knee while running.

With models built around things like DNA technology,  REVlite midsole and Gel cushioning, our choices are designed with comfort in mind

Fit

Although a pretty "wearer specific" consideration, the overall fit of a shoe plays a big part in providing comfort and preventing issues which may produce added pain over time. Good attention should be paid to your specific needs such as room for wide feet, enough heel space, and a toe box with enough room for your toes to splay properly.

The footwear should fit well and fit properly, but it should not constrict the natural function of your feet. keeping your toes from properly spreading can actually translate into other painful problems throughout the feet, legs and even knees.

If you need motion control type footwear, you still need to ensure your feet are able to function the way they are naturally intended to.

Grip and Traction

Nothing screams painful accident like a pair of runners that have poor traction on the very surface on which they are meant to be worn. The top choices should be able to provide confident grip over any surface for which they are intended.

Breathability

Not having much to do with the knees but this is a big factor for any running footwear. It is important that the best choices are breathable, to aid in the overall comfort of the wearer, as well as preventing any potential problems caused by accumulating too much moisture in the shoe.

Durability

They have to last as long as they are expected, bottom line. Digging deeper into it, if you have a pair that starts to fall apart right in the middle of a long run, there is a real potential for some kind of injury there. It could be a fall caused by the sole peeling off, the construction failing, causing a lack of the much needed support.

The options we have chosen for our list of best choices have all passed the durability test, when it comes to major issues which might affect their function and performance.

Other Important Factors to Consider Before Setting Out To Make Your Purchase

There isn't typically a fix all solution to this kind of pain unless you know exactly what condition you are dealing with. Just like particular foot conditions, it is just as important to know exactly what is causing the pain in your knees. Unless you know where the problem is coming from, it is nearly impossible to remedy.

Below are many of the things which you should be aware of before going out to pick up a pair of runners, hoping they will do the job. Is the issue coming from a genetic problem? Are there unattended foot problems which have now worked there way up the legs? These are only a couple of questions you should find the answers to in order to find the best remedy, as well as find the most appropriate footwear to help you keep running.

The Most Common causes of knee pain

Knee pain by running is very common caused by your body's weight forcing stress up to the knee. This is a chronic problem caused by biomechanical problems or training errors. It may be an injury that is sustained while exercising. Luckily,  only approximately 25% of cases of knee pain are caused by running.

Osteoarthritis

This condition is a frequent reason of knee pain in non-athletes and athletes alike over 60.

Patellar subluxation

In this situation, the kneecap becomes partially dislocated during motion, sliding out of position which will definitely cause swelling and pain. It's often caused by physical defect in your legs, rather than an injury. This problem is  quite common with teenage girls, but can really affect anyone.

Tendonitis

Tendons are tough bands of tissue that connect your muscles and bones. Overuse can make the tendons sore and inflamed. One kind of knee tendonitis is called ''jumper's knee.''

Bone chips

Sometimes, a knee injury may be caused by fragments breaking off from the cartilage or bone. These fragments can then get stuck in the joint which may cause swelling and pain.

Bursitis

The sacks of fluid that protect and cushion your joints are called bursas and there are several ones of them in your knee, positioned in different places. The bursa can be irritated by a fall, overuse, or repeated bending, causing swelling and pain. ''Housemaid's knee'' and ''Preacher's knee'' are two typesof bursitis, named like that because they can be caused by repeated kneeling. Another condition of the bursa is called a ''Baker's cyst'' - a swollen bursa in the back of the knee caused by  injuries or conditions such as arthritis.

IT band syndrome

The iliotibial band is what the tough tissue running from the hip down to the shin is called. Pain on the outer part of the knee may be caused by the IT band being swollen, which happens after overuse or other irritation.

Medial plica syndrome

The plica is a fold of tissue in the knee joint. If it's overused it can become irritated and cause swelling and knee pain.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease

If the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shin gets overused, it may cause a painful bump below the knee. This is a common condition with teens (ages 13 to 15) and it's notable that the pain comes and goes over time.

All of these different symptoms depend on your specific knee injury. But the Pain is most often experienced when bending or straightening the knee. After a while you will probably notice obvious swelling as well.

We are going to mainly focus on knee pain that is caused by running, so having the right kind of footwear becomes an important thing to think about.

Knee problems form running often arise from wearing the wrong type of shoes for your particular foot. If you are unsure of any foot issues that you might have, a simple gait analysis can help you determine more exactly whether you overpronate, supinate or are a neutral runner. This is really vital information to know, especially when it comes to choosing the most suitable shoes for your feet.

Common Foot Conditions Which Should Be Identified

Turning Inward
Pronation is a natural inward roll of your foot when you run. Neutral runners show a slight amount of pronation, but overpronators roll in excessively that puts a lot of pressure on your knee joint. The best running shoes for overpronators are ones which provide stability or motion control. The amount of stabilization you need depending on your degree of pronation. The stability is provided by a hard, thick material in the arch point of the shoe which prevents the excessive rolling in of your foot.

Turning Outward
Supination is a rarer condition than pronation and is characterized by an outward roll of your foot. The best running shoe for a supinator often provides the cushion and flexibility. A stabilizing shoe will increase knee and other joint problems in supinators because it exaggerates your rolling-out motion.

Neutral positioning
The best shoe for neutral runners provides some stability, but is not labeled "motion control." If you do lots of running over uneven surface, your knees may need a shoe with extra cushioning, too. Finally, you have to try on several shoes and determine which one works for you. There is no one shoe that is the best for every runner.

Shopping for knee-friendly footwear
For people who have knee pain, getting the perfect shoes doesn't just involve getting your preferred style and favorite color. It goes beyond that and narrows down to comfortability this is because the shoes play an important role in making sure your knee health is getting better and not worsening. This is because the type of shoes one wears has the ability to cause an impact on one's knee joints. When looking for the perfect shoes that will suit your knee health needs, it is good to consider the below factors:

Cushioning: consider getting shoes that have additional cushioning as this will reduce the shock impact on your knees.  These types of shoes have the ability to fully absorb shock, hence the shock can't reach the knees. They will help if you are walking or running on tough terrain. Padded shoes also have the same features as well-cushioned shoes.

Sole Type. Look for firm soles if you happen to suffer from over-pronation. This is a condition that is common among runners who have low arches. Over-pronation is one of the reasons that the lower knee and leg tends to have an inward rotation every time the runner's foot strikes the ground. The rotation in turn leads to a painful strain on the knee.

The most important thing to always have in mind when concentrating on your knee health is that the way you treat your legs will determine how healthy your knees will be. Make sure you have the correct footwear that will provide you with daily comfort.

Other Treatments For People with Knee Pain

Consider Custom Orthotics

If your knee pain persists and hasn't improved even after wearing specialized shoes, it might be time to consider using specialized orthotics. For this you will need to consult a trained professional who will then take molds of your feet in different positions, in order to see how your foot position sparks knee pain. Using these molds they will create custom insoles which should align the foot and ankle better, hopefully putting an end to your medial or lateral pain.

Wearing well-constructed running shoes and orthotics will help limit pronation and maintain alignment. It is important to change running shoes every 300 miles to make sure the shoes have not broken down causing poor alignment. The patient will likely experience pain relief within weeks and perfectly recovery within months (generally 2 - 3 months).