Have you ever wondered why some people seem more prone to knee injuries than others? ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries are often seen as a problem isolated to the knee, especially in athletes. But the truth is, the story starts much lower down—with your feet. The way your feet and ankles move and align can have a big impact on the health of your knees, including your risk of tearing an ACL.

In this post, we’ll explain how your foot mechanics influence ACL injuries and what role podiatry can play in both prevention and recovery.

What Is an ACL Injury?
The ACL is one of the main ligaments that helps stabilise your knee joint. It connects your thigh bone (femur) to your shin bone (tibia) and helps control back-and-forth motion.

ACL injuries typically happen during activities that involve sudden stops, changes in direction, or jumping—common in sports like football, rugby, basketball, or even quick-paced gym workouts. While traumatic impact is often involved, the way your body moves plays a crucial role.

How Foot Function Affects Knee Stability
The body works as a chain, and when one part is out of balance, it can affect everything above it. This is especially true for the feet. If your feet roll inwards too much when you walk or run (a movement known as overpronation), it can cause your lower leg to rotate more than it should. This extra rotation places added stress on the knee joint, including the ACL.

Similarly, if your arches are too high (supination), it can reduce the foot's ability to absorb shock, sending more impact up through the leg.

Some common foot-related issues that can contribute to ACL strain include:

• Flat feet or fallen arches

• Poor ankle mobility

• Imbalanced leg length

• Tight calf muscles or hamstrings

Over time, these subtle imbalances can change how forces move through your legs and knees, increasing the risk of injury.

Can Podiatry Help with ACL Injury Prevention?
Absolutely. At our foot clinic in Dublin 9, we often assess lower limb alignment as part of injury prevention strategies for active patients. Identifying and correcting poor foot mechanics can help reduce strain on the knees and support proper movement patterns.

Here’s how podiatry can help:

• Gait analysis: We assess how you walk or run to spot alignment problems.

• Custom orthotics: These can support your arches and correct imbalances.

• Footwear advice: The right shoes make a big difference in how your body moves.

• Targeted exercises: Strengthening and stretching routines tailored to your specific needs.

Addressing these areas can take pressure off the knees and potentially prevent ACL problems before they start.

Supporting Recovery After an ACL Injury
If you’ve already had an ACL injury or surgery, restoring proper alignment is key during recovery. When the foot and ankle aren’t functioning correctly, it can place added stress on the healing knee and even affect your long-term outcomes.

A podiatrist can work alongside your physio team to:

• Improve your gait and reduce limp patterns

• Enhance balance and stability through the feet

• Prevent compensatory movements that could lead to further injury

We often see patients who make faster, more complete recoveries when foot mechanics are addressed early in the rehab process.

Conclusion
Your feet might seem far away from your knees, but they’re more connected than you think. Poor foot function can quietly increase your risk of ACL injuries or slow down your recovery. The good news? These issues are treatable.

If you’re active and want to protect your knees, or you’re recovering from an ACL injury, consider booking an assessment at our foot clinic in Dublin 9. Helping your feet move better could be the key to a stronger, safer return to the activities you love.