Faults with the mechanics of the feet can put extra strain on structures higher up in the body. This can lead to injuries such as foot pain, shin splints, knee pain, hip pain, or lower back pain.

Biomechanical dysfunction of the feet includes, over-pronation, fallen arches or supination.

There may be many reasons for a person to develop these problems, this includes weakness in the muscles of the knee or hip, or tightness in some of the muscles or joints of the lower limb changing the way you walk or run. Bad footwear can also be a cause.

Excessive pronation is the most common cause of running injuries. A pronated foot rolls inwards at the ankle, the midfoot bulges inwards and the longitudinal arch flattens.

Those who over-pronate generally have very flexible and unstable feet.

A supinated foot rolls outwards at the ankle and has a high arch. They tend to be more rigid and are very poor at absorbing shock.

A low arch, or flat foot, typically occurs when the foot is excessively pronated, turning it inward. A high arch can supinate the foot, rolling it outward. Both of these structural variations can cause knee, hip, and back pain.

When one arch flattens more than the other, the inside of the foot and inner ankle move closer to the ground, the knee and hip then rotate inward, placing stress on different muscles and structures surrounding the knee, hip and lower back and causing pain in these areas.

Pain is experienced especially during walking and running.