Addressing Leg Posture-Related Challenges
I'm a 29-year-old male dealing with significant foot issues, including a 50% collapsed arch and plantar fasciitis, which causes sharp heel pain while walking. Additionally, I’ve got relatively thin legs that don't seem to match my overall physique. Recently, I embarked on a trip where I ended up walking around 15,000 steps a day for an entire week, a drastic increase from my usual daily average of 6,000 steps. This excessive walking has resulted in discomfort above and below my inner ankle, and after some research, it appears to align with symptoms of posterior tibial tendonitis. To manage the pain, I've been wrapping my ankle with a crepe bandage, which offers some relief, but now I'm starting to experience shin splints both while walking and when driving a stick shift vehicle. Interestingly, my wife pointed out that my posture while standing seems off. She mentioned that my knees and ankles are too close together and that I tend to rest my weight on my ankles rather than distributing it properly across my thighs, knees, and the front of my feet. She believes that this compromised posture might be contributing to the issues I'm experiencing in my legs. I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice on how to improve my posture and alleviate these ongoing problems. Thank you!
Answers (1)
9/16/2025, 3:40:58 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re experiencing a combination of foot problems, likely exacerbated by a recent increase in physical activity, along with some concerns related to posture. Here’s a structured approach to address your pain, improve your posture, and promote overall leg health.
Main Points
- Foot and ankle discomfort is likely linked to collapsed arches and increased walking.
- Posture may be contributing to your pain; focusing on alignment and weight distribution is important.
- Management strategies can alleviate symptoms and improve your situation over time.
Explanation
Your symptoms, including arch collapse, plantar fasciitis, and discomfort in the ankle and shin areas, suggest that your foot mechanics and posture play crucial roles in your overall leg health. Collapsed arches can lead to improper alignment and increased pressure on tendons, such as the posterior tibial tendon, which you might be experiencing. Furthermore, resting weight primarily on your ankles can lead to muscle fatigue and strain, causing issues like shin splints.
Actionable Steps
-
Proper Foot Support:
- Consider using orthotic insoles specifically designed for flat feet or collapsed arches. They can help in redistributing weight and reducing pain.
- Avoid walking barefoot or in unsupportive shoes. Opt for shoes with good arch support and cushioning.
-
Posture Correction:
- Focus on distributing your weight evenly through your feet. When standing, aim to maintain your knees slightly apart, and engage your thighs to stabilize your position. A quick self-check is to ask someone to look at your ankles and knees while you stand; they should not be excessively close together.
- Practice exercises that strengthen your leg muscles, particularly around the thighs and calves. These can help support proper posture and reduce strain.
-
Manage Pain and Inflammation:
- While wrapping your ankle helps, consider implementing ice therapy (15-20 minutes several times a day) to reduce inflammation after walking.
- Engage in gentle stretching and strengthening exercises for your calves and feet. Simple stretches like calf raises and rolling a tennis ball under your foot can ease tension.
-
Gradual Increase in Activity:
- Familiarize your body with increased activity levels gradually. If you typically walk 6,000 steps a day, try to increase your daily steps by no more than 500-1,000 steps at a time to prevent overuse injuries.
-
Listen to Your Body:
- Pay attention to how your body feels. If specific activities consistently lead to pain, consider reducing those until you build more strength.
By focusing on proper foot support, enhancing your posture, managing pain, and gradually building your activity level, you can better address your symptoms. If issues persist, it might be beneficial to explore physical therapy options for personalized guidance and treatment. Keep me updated on your progress or if you need more specific advice!
Related Questions
Unusual Heart Sensation
I’m an 18-year-old, weighing 50 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters (and yes, I’m aware that I’m quite slender). For the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit of smoking about half a pack of cigarettes each day. So, the other day I was lying on my left side, relaxing, when I stumbled upon an unusual sensation. It felt as though my heart was pulsating so intensely that it was almost outside my body. Out of curiosity, I pressed a bit on the area and was instantly hit with a rush; my head started to tingle, my vision momentarily blurred, and it felt as though my heart dropped. It was as if my entire system had malfunctioned. Just for context, I’ve experienced something similar before after a ketamine overdose, and it persisted for about a month afterward, occurring occasionally while trying to sleep or during random moments in bed. This current episode has me quite anxious, especially since it hasn’t happened in a while, but this time felt particularly alarming.
Mass on the Glottis
Patient Details: 63-year-old male, height 165 cm, weight 66 kg, Asian descent. Lifestyle Factors: No history of smoking or alcohol consumption. Medical History: Diagnosed with asthma and angina. Current Medications: Uses a Symbicort inhaler and takes Concor tablets. Main Concern: A mass was detected during a gastroendoscopy carried out a year ago. There is no report of pain, but the patient experiences mild hoarseness. What might be the diagnosis?
Post-Gallbladder Surgery Concerns: Potential Infection Three Weeks Later?
Subject's Age: 35 Gender: Female Height: 5 feet 4 inches Weight: 160 pounds Ethnicity: Asian Duration of Symptoms: Last Three Weeks Geographic Location: United States Relevant Medical History: Almost three weeks ago, I underwent gallbladder removal surgery. In the last few days, I have observed a small amount of cloudy discharge emerging from my incision site. Recently, I noticed what appears to be pus leaking from the area. While there is no significant pain, I do feel a mild soreness when I touch or move the site. I have not experienced any fever or chills, and there’s no unpleasant odor coming from the wound. Should I continue to clean the area with soap and water, or is it advisable to seek medical attention at the emergency room for further evaluation?
Should I Seek Medical Attention for a Possible Spinal Injury?
Greetings! I’m a 20-year-old male, and while I’m not overly anxious about my situation, I've been experiencing enough discomfort to consider it. Three days prior, I went snowboarding and attempted to navigate a box, which is essentially a flat metal structure with a slight ramp at the end. Unfortunately, I lost my balance close to the end of the box and landed squarely on my backside. This caused my back and head to make hard contact with the ground. At first, I didn’t perceive much pain in my back or head; instead, the primary source of pain seemed to be my rear, which felt as if it had developed a noticeable lump. However, I dismissed it at the time. The following day, the soreness persisted, alongside generalized discomfort throughout my upper body. Every time I coughed, I felt pain that radiated from my neck down to my abdomen, which was tender to the touch. I asked my girlfriend to check for any visible injuries, and although my butt showed no bruising, I did notice around five bruises along my spine. I’m questioning whether I should consult a physician. I usually avoid going to the doctor unless absolutely necessary, having only visited twice in the last four years (excluding vaccinations during my teenage years). I tend to prefer toughing things out to save on medical expenses, but if the situation warrants it, I wouldn’t hesitate to seek help as I did last year for an ear infection. What do you think – should I consider getting checked out?
Factors Influencing Rapid Advancement of Leprosy
I'm an 18-year-old assigned female at birth, standing at 5'11" and weighing 150 pounds. I've ceased taking any antibiotics or other prescribed medications, with the exception of haloperidol. I smoke and drink, but I don't engage in drug use. My ethnicity is Caucasian. Additionally, I have several other health issues, including anemia, scoliosis, endometriosis, and ovarian complications. I find myself unwilling to endure this condition for the next two decades. Currently, my health feels precarious. My wounds take an excruciatingly long time to heal or sometimes don't heal at all. I experience numbness or a tingling sensation in my hands, where the skin resembles that of a reptile, likely due to my fingers being either broken or oddly bent, possibly infected as well. My arms, legs, and face are covered in lesions, primarily due to these unhealed wounds. Furthermore, I deal with mild muscle weakness, a condition that began during my time playing football as a lineman, accompanied by numerous injuries that still haven’t fully recovered. I find myself wishing for a more rapid progression of this disease so that I can reach a point of resolution, as I feel irreparably damaged and have turned down treatment out of deep-seated self-loathing. Is there any way to accelerate this? I should mention, though it may not be directly related: my scars have a purplish hue, and I've noticed small visible 'holes' near these scars on my left arm—at least four that I've identified—while my left hand seems to be in the worst condition. Thank you for listening. Goodbye.