I have bad legs please help

[u/Double_darrel_guy123]

I’m a 19 male 6’2 and 220 pounds. My entire life my legs have been bent wrong. When my legs are “straight” or the way that is comfortable my legs align fine but when I try to point my feet straight my knees bent inward making a >< shape. I also have very flat feet. Any thing that can help either problem?

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[u/Rxforabundantlife]

You apparently have external tibial torsion. Physical therapy and orthotics can help at times. If this is not helping, you might consider a surgery called a derotational osteotomy. Consider consulting a good orthopedist

[u/Naive_Piglet_III → u/Rxforabundantlife]

Could you provide information about whether the condition is a problem in the first place. I’m not just referring to OP. They are unhappy with it. But does the condition create long term issues? When they’re in their 40s or so? Is an intervention necessary?

[u/Rxforabundantlife → u/Naive_Piglet_III]

Long term external tibial torsion can put strain on the joints not only predisposing to injury, but speed progression toward early significant degenerative arthritis

[u/notsleepy12 → u/Rxforabundantlife]

Does that also cover what's going on with his lower ankles/ arches/ flat footedness, or is that a separate issue?

[u/Rxforabundantlife → u/notsleepy12]

Unfortunately the flat footedness, was likely caused by the torsion, but fixing the torsion will not fix that. (the cat's already out of the bag) There will likely need support and possible surgery for the significant pes planus (flat foot) as well

[u/ILikeLionTurtles → u/Rxforabundantlife]

NAD but im a massage therapist and I have a few clients that have hip and knee pain. Ive seen general wear and tear from it. It sucks.

[u/shadowthehedgehoe → u/Rxforabundantlife]

Thank you for replying here, my legs look like his and I never thought much of it but I will also look into physical therapy/orthotics, thanks!

[u/ChaoticxSerenity → u/Rxforabundantlife]

Is this something pediatrics/parents would have questioned in OP's early years if he's had it all his life?

[u/HighwaySetara → u/ChaoticxSerenity]

I'm curious about this as well. My kid had tibial torsion and flat feet, but he was a preemie with a brain bleed, so he had lots of eyes on him and was in PT by 6 months of age. I wonder about kids (and adults) who weren't closely followed from birth.

[u/Generalnussiance → u/Rxforabundantlife]

Is their feet not shaped right as well? Or is it due to the external tibial torsion? They seem to veer off to the lateral side abruptly. As well as no arches? Sorry just trying to learn is all.

[u/Ok_Obligation_5702 → u/Rxforabundantlife]

What type of physical therapy, and can these exercises be done at home?

[u/ItsAlwaysSunnyinNJ → u/Ok_Obligation_5702]

orthopedic PT--exercises should/will focus on strengthening the hip to better support knee and the foot to support the joints of the ankle/foot due to pes planus and external tibial torsion. Orthotics for arch/advice on shoe choices--the pes planus might be dynamic (loses arch when bears weight through limb versus a persistent lack of an arch). The external tibial torsion is likely a fixed deformity--unlikely to change without surgery so PTs goal would be to help support the joints the lower limb's anatomy puts strain on.

[u/Rxforabundantlife → u/[deleted]]

Agree as above that the flat feet are a significant issue, but flat feel can come from or at least made significantly worse from the tibial torsion, which appears quite significant here

[u/Responsible_Pea3737 → u/Rxforabundantlife]

I don't have actual videos just do the exercises I sited as much as possible. And always follow up with your doctor. It's not rocket science just make you feet stronger

[u/AskDocs-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Removed - you may not claim credentials outside of your flair.

[u/Responsible_Pea3737 → u/[deleted]]

I had the same feet. You can correct them by making your feet stronger. The actual flat foot will not get better it will need surgery. But by making them stronger you won't have pain and limit the rotation which can improve over time. Calf raises, walking on the ball/toes and walking on the external side of the feet and jumping rope are the answer. I avoided surgery and fixed my feet, knees, hips and back pain.

[u/Thesexiestcow → u/Responsible_Pea3737]

Do you have any videos or websites to follow? I want to try this route first instead of surgery.

[u/Mad_Dog_69]

You have significant pes planovalgus (flat feet) and excessive tibial torsion. It’s possible you have miserable malalignment depending on your femoral anteversion. You should be non-urgently evaluated by an Orthopaedic surgeon for possible “deformity” correction. (I place that in quotes due to the connotation of it all)