Right leg

For 1-2 years I’ve had the sensation that my right leg leans inward, that is, towards the left leg. It’s most noticeable when walking since when I walk it also seems like each time I take a step with my right foot, the right part of its sole always lands on the floor first (or perhaps, too much of the right part, more than what it should be, lands first which causes instability). This messes up my overall balance and I’m quite sure this impairs me when doing squats and DLs.

Now, this description is somewhat vague; English isn’t my first language and the problem is difficult to describe even in my own language. I’ve been to three different specialists already which is why I come here for suggestions. Any ideas on what this could be? Of course, just tell me if you need more info for an assessment. Thanks.

if you can post a front side and back profile pic, I’ve had this problem myself and I feel it’s good ol tight hips.

If I understand your description correctly, it sounds like you’re over-pronating. Might be helped a lot by simply wearing an orthotic (actually, a simple arch support would likely do the trick). This is often the result of the arch being lower on that side for some reason. I have seen this cause knee pain, hip pain, low back pain and other issues. You can get expensive, custom-made orthotics, and they often help. But, I have also seen pretty dang good results with generic arch supports right off the shelf of a large pharmacy or big-box store. It’s cheap and won’t hurt anything if I’m wrong.

The orthotics are a good idea,

But what I think is going on is just an imbalance in the glute, with the weaker glute being turned in, causing your hips to tighten up to compensate causing your foot to turn in.

I’m not sure, and seeing your posture would go a long way to help figure this one out.

Thanks for your replies.

Here are the pics:

http://www.wifstrand.se/albert/stuff/front%2017dec.JPG
http://www.wifstrand.se/albert/stuff/back%2017dec.JPG

Looking at the front side I can see I’m crooked, somehow, which I haven’t really seen until now. I even made an effort to stand fully upright here which might reveal something about my condition. Also, I can’t tell if the inward lean starts somewhere below the tibia, at the knee or at the hips. When walking it sometimes feels as if the leaning part of my leg is somewhere below the knee.

My right leg “cracks” (don’t know the correct term for this but I think you get it) occasionally, too, both at the foot, the knee and the hip.

[quote]Larry10 wrote:
The orthotics are a good idea,

But what I think is going on is just an imbalance in the glute, with the weaker glute being turned in, causing your hips to tighten up to compensate causing your foot to turn in.

I’m not sure, and seeing your posture would go a long way to help figure this one out.[/quote]

So far I’m with you; there’s some imbalance rather than over-pronation. Could it be over-pronation caused by an imbalance??

Tight hips seems probable since if I do a side stretch like this

http://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/sullivan/images/sidestretch

I feel that my right side at the lower back and hip are contracted.

Hey man, thanks for the pics, I had the same posture as you for a while.

Check out my low back pain thread and it will do the trick for sure.

Your right shoulder is depressed, and your left hip is very tight.

I’d add in side lying clams daily right now, shoot for 100 on the left glute, but do both legs.

The shoulder capsule stretch and lat stretch from the upper body warm up are going to be very important for your right shoulder.

I’ve seen way worse, and been way worse, you’re going to get past this, and you’ll do it soon.

Just do those 2 warm ups every day, with the clams, and you should feel better immediately.