Hip pain — the foot connection you may be missing

When the foot pronates excessively, the tibia and femur internally rotate. This changes hip joint loading, increases ITB tension, and creates compensatory pelvic movements — all of which can produce hip pain with no obvious hip pathology.

🎓 8 independent university studies

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📅 27 years of podiatry-led design

Does this sound like you?

Recognise any of these symptoms?

  • Hip ache that worsens with walking or prolonged standing

  • Pain on the outside of the hip (greater trochanter area)

  • Hip stiffness or aching after running

  • Flat feet or visible ankle rolling

  • Hip pain with no obvious injury or diagnosed pathology

  • Pain that's worse on hard surfaces

Not all hip pain comes from the hip. If your hip pain is worse when walking, has no specific injury cause, and is associated with flat feet or pronation — the kinetic chain from the foot should be assessed.

Man in a gym setting with hands on hip in pain

Understanding Your Pain

How your feet affect your hips

The foot, knee, and hip are mechanically linked through the tibia and femur. When the foot pronates excessively, the tibia internally rotates. This drives the femur into internal rotation, which changes the angle and loading at the hip joint.

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome: Excessive femoral internal rotation increases tension on the ITB and gluteal tendons where they cross the greater trochanter (the bony prominence on the outside of the hip). This is one of the most common causes of lateral hip pain — and it's directly influenced by foot biomechanics.

Hip joint loading: Abnormal femoral rotation changes how the femoral head sits in the acetabulum, potentially increasing contact stress on specific areas of the joint cartilage. Over time, this can contribute to anterior hip pain or early degenerative changes.

Important: Hip pain has many causes — including labral tears, osteoarthritis, bursitis, and referred pain from the lumbar spine. A professional assessment is essential to determine the specific diagnosis. But when hip pain is biomechanically driven by foot pronation, correcting the foundation can make a significant difference.

The Duquesne University connection

Duquesne University research confirmed that Interpod orthotics significantly control tibial rotation. Since tibial rotation drives femoral rotation, controlling the tibia at the foot directly reduces the rotational forces at the hip — addressing the kinetic chain from the ground up.

Your Treatment Plan

Your path to healing — step by step

Jump in at the stage that matches where you are right now.

Where are you right now?

Select the stage that best describes your situation — we'll take you straight there.

"I just started getting hip pain" New symptoms — show me what to do right now "I've been managing it — stretching, rest, painkillers" Doing the basics but it keeps coming back "I've tried everything — nothing has worked long-term" Looking for a real, long-term solution "A practitioner told me I need orthotics" I've been assessed — take me straight to the orthotic recommendation
1

First — Get a proper diagnosis

Rule out hip-specific pathology

Hip pain should be professionally assessed before attributing it to foot biomechanics.

  • See a physiotherapist or orthopaedic specialist - to rule out labral tear, osteoarthritis, bursitis, or lumbar referred pain.

  • If hip pain is mechanical (worse walking/standing, no specific injury, associated with flat feet/pronation) - foot biomechanics are likely contributing.

  • Ask about foot assessment - many hip physiotherapists don't routinely assess the foot. If your hip pain isn't responding to hip-focused treatment, request a biomechanical assessment of your feet and gait.
2

Strengthen the chain

Hip, glute, and foot strengthening

  • Gluteal strengthening - side-lying hip abductions, clamshells, single-leg bridges, lateral band walks. Strong glutes control femoral rotation and reduce pelvic drop.

  • Hip flexor and ITB stretching - tight hip flexors and ITB increase lateral hip compression.

  • Calf stretching - limited ankle dorsiflexion drives compensatory pronation and femoral rotation.

  • Foot strengthening - intrinsic foot exercises to improve dynamic arch support.
3

Biomechanical correction — Fix the foundation

Address the pronation forces driving hip stress

  • Rearfoot Wedge - resists pronation, reducing tibial and femoral internal rotation and the cascading forces on the hip joint.

  • All four design features - work together to improve gait efficiency and reduce the compensatory movements that stress the hip.

Treating hip pain without assessing the feet is like fixing the roof without checking the foundation.If excessive pronation is driving femoral rotation and changing hip joint loading, orthotics address the cause that hip-focused treatment alone cannot reach.

Model P+

Model P+

The Model P+ — Recommended

Trial all three support levels. Your matching permanent Model P ships automatically.

$125AUD — includes permanent Model P

Model P for Pain

Model P for Pain

Model P

For returning customers or practitioner recommendations.

$85AUD per pair

Why Interpod Works

Four design features that resist pronation and assist supination

Generic insoles only have arch support. Interpod has four biomechanical design features — the same features found in custom orthotics costing $500+.

  • Plantar Fascial Groove ★

    A groove engineered into the orthotic to accommodate the plantar fascia. Reduces the force needed to establish the windlass mechanism — the foot's natural arch-raising system. Directly reduces the strain that causes plantar fasciitis.

    Assits supination
    Research: La Trobe University — statistically significant at all angles (p<0.001).

  • Rearfoot Wedge ★

    Resists the excessive pronation forces that over-flatten the arch and overload the plantar fascia. By inverting the calcaneus, it reduces the strain transmitted to the fascia during loading.

    Resists pronation
    Research: La Trobe University — more effective at changing rearfoot position than competing orthotics.

  • 1st Cutaway

    Allows the first metatarsal to plantarflex naturally during push-off, enabling the windlass mechanism to function properly without interference from the orthotic.

    Assits supination

  • Cuboid Notch

    Assists supination during the transition from midstance to push-off, stabilising the lateral column. Typically only found in custom-made orthotics.

    Resists pronation

Common Questions

Hip Pain FAQs

Can orthotics really help hip pain?

Yes — when the hip pain is being driven by excessive foot pronation through the kinetic chain. Pronation causes tibial and femoral internal rotation, which changes hip joint loading. By correcting pronation at the foot, orthotics reduce these rotational forces. This is most effective for mechanical hip pain associated with flat feet, pronation, and walking/standing aggravation — not for hip-specific pathology like labral tears or advanced osteoarthritis.
Should I see a physio as well?

Yes — ideally both. Orthotics address the biomechanical forces from below. Physiotherapy strengthens the hip, glute, and core muscles from above. Together, they address both ends of the kinetic chain. Ask your physio to assess your foot biomechanics as part of the hip assessment.
How do I know if my feet are causing my hip pain?

Key indicators: hip pain that's worse with walking or standing, associated with flat feet or visible pronation, has no specific injury cause, and doesn't fully respond to hip-focused physiotherapy. If these factors are present, foot biomechanics should be assessed as a contributing factor.
What if the orthotics don't help?

You're covered by our 90-day full refund guarantee. If hip pain persists, the biomechanical connection may not be the primary driver. Consult a physiotherapist or orthopaedic specialist. Contact us at help@interpod-orthotics.com.

Related Conditions

Interpod also treats

Achilles Tendinopathy Arch Pain Bunions Flat Feet Heel Pain Heel Spurs High Arches ITB Syndrome Knee Pain Lower Back Pain Metatarsalgia Morton's Neuroma Over-Pronation Plantar Fasciitis PTTD Running Injuries Runners Knee Shin Splints

Start your path to lasting relief today

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