Pain in the medial compartment of the knee is a common result of a lifetime of impacts, particularly when the individual has had knee injuries or over-pronates. This pain is characteristically elicited by full extension of the knee at the moment of heel strike.
Proper barefoot gait, particularly on grass, can reduce or eliminate medial compartment pain by three mechanisms:
-flexed knee and midfoot/forefoot strike re- distributes each impact over a longer period and to other structures outside the knee.
-flexed knee shifts the impact within the knee, away from tender surfaces, to healthier non-painful surfaces.
-proper lateral midfoot/forefoot strike and strengthening of foot and leg muscles eliminate over-pronation, thus re-distributing impact away from the over-used medial compartment.
Further, barefoot runners have an extra incentive for weight reduction i.e. less trauma to soles, and weight reduction will also result in less knee pain.
In sum, barefoot running on grass with proper gait can allow runners with medial knee pain to continue or resume running with less discomfort.
Proper barefoot gait, particularly on grass, can reduce or eliminate medial compartment pain by three mechanisms:
-flexed knee and midfoot/forefoot strike re- distributes each impact over a longer period and to other structures outside the knee.
-flexed knee shifts the impact within the knee, away from tender surfaces, to healthier non-painful surfaces.
-proper lateral midfoot/forefoot strike and strengthening of foot and leg muscles eliminate over-pronation, thus re-distributing impact away from the over-used medial compartment.
Further, barefoot runners have an extra incentive for weight reduction i.e. less trauma to soles, and weight reduction will also result in less knee pain.
In sum, barefoot running on grass with proper gait can allow runners with medial knee pain to continue or resume running with less discomfort.
