Duck walk/out-toeing correction question(s)

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zyxst
zyxst Posts: 9,135 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I walk with my feet splayed out and I'm trying to correct this (probably a horrible idea). What I'm wondering is: if I don't have serious problems from walking like this after 44 years, should I be bothered to correct it?

Replies

  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    edited February 2017
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    Here is an article on the topic

    http://sortyourpostureout.com/why-your-turned-out-duck-feet-are-trashing-your-body/

    You may want to talk to your doctor to get their thoughts and if phyical therapy would be appropriate. Especiallyof someone has been inactivefor a long tIme and\or has lost significant weight.

    Best of luck
  • amyinthetardis1231
    amyinthetardis1231 Posts: 571 Member
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    I walked turned out from years of dance training. As long as your arches aren't falling inward and your feet aren't rolling (pressure on bunions or insteps), I don't think it's a major issue. If your gait causes your feet to roll inward, that puts pressure on your knees (bad), but if you're putting your whole foot flat on the ground with each step, I don't think it's a concern. At least, none of the podiatrists and physiatrists I've seen for other, unrelated issues (I promise, not related to my walk) have said it's a problem.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,572 Member
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    What? I wouldn't. If you were a kid, maybe. I do the same. When I try to correct it I get tension in my knees. Seems wrong.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,135 Member
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    Packerjohn wrote: »
    Here is an article on the topic

    http://sortyourpostureout.com/why-your-turned-out-duck-feet-are-trashing-your-body/

    You may want to talk to your doctor to get their thoughts and if phyical therapy would be appropriate. Especiallyof someone has been inactivefor a long tIme and\or has lost significant weight.

    Best of luck

    I read that article. I didn't understand the sciencey stuff, but it (and many of the other, similar articles) comes off as saying that my body is killing itself because I walk like a duck.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,464 Member
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    People have different anatomical structures, there's no changing that.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,135 Member
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    amyinthetardis1231 wrote: »
    I walked turned out from years of dance training. As long as your arches aren't falling inward and your feet aren't rolling (pressure on bunions or insteps), I don't think it's a major issue. If your gait causes your feet to roll inward, that puts pressure on your knees (bad), but if you're putting your whole foot flat on the ground with each step, I don't think it's a concern. At least, none of the podiatrists and physiatrists I've seen for other, unrelated issues (I promise, not related to my walk) have said it's a problem.

    I know not to put everything on what one person says, but the guy at the ortho shoe store did a mini gait analysis and told me I had a bunch of problems - duck walk, flat feet (what? so what's that arch-thingy in the middle of my foot?), arches falling at the back (what?). Yeah, I walk with my feet splayed mostly from being obese and dealing with a huge gut, and everyone knew walked with feet splayed. My mom tore into me when I was 8ish because I was walking like one of the neighbors who was slightly pigeon-toed.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
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    zyxst wrote: »
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    Here is an article on the topic

    http://sortyourpostureout.com/why-your-turned-out-duck-feet-are-trashing-your-body/

    You may want to talk to your doctor to get their thoughts and if phyical therapy would be appropriate. Especiallyof someone has been inactivefor a long tIme and\or has lost significant weight.

    Best of luck

    I read that article. I didn't understand the sciencey stuff, but it (and many of the other, similar articles) comes off as saying that my body is killing itself because I walk like a duck.

    That's why I would suggest at least asking a medical professional. Even start with you genreal practitioner next time you're there.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    What
    zyxst wrote: »
    amyinthetardis1231 wrote: »
    I walked turned out from years of dance training. As long as your arches aren't falling inward and your feet aren't rolling (pressure on bunions or insteps), I don't think it's a major issue. If your gait causes your feet to roll inward, that puts pressure on your knees (bad), but if you're putting your whole foot flat on the ground with each step, I don't think it's a concern. At least, none of the podiatrists and physiatrists I've seen for other, unrelated issues (I promise, not related to my walk) have said it's a problem.

    I know not to put everything on what one person says, but the guy at the ortho shoe store did a mini gait analysis and told me I had a bunch of problems - duck walk, flat feet (what? so what's that arch-thingy in the middle of my foot?), arches falling at the back (what?). Yeah, I walk with my feet splayed mostly from being obese and dealing with a huge gut, and everyone knew walked with feet splayed. My mom tore into me when I was 8ish because I was walking like one of the neighbors who was slightly pigeon-toed.

    See a physio, see what they say
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,135 Member
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    TavistockToad wrote: »
    What
    zyxst wrote: »
    amyinthetardis1231 wrote: »
    I walked turned out from years of dance training. As long as your arches aren't falling inward and your feet aren't rolling (pressure on bunions or insteps), I don't think it's a major issue. If your gait causes your feet to roll inward, that puts pressure on your knees (bad), but if you're putting your whole foot flat on the ground with each step, I don't think it's a concern. At least, none of the podiatrists and physiatrists I've seen for other, unrelated issues (I promise, not related to my walk) have said it's a problem.

    I know not to put everything on what one person says, but the guy at the ortho shoe store did a mini gait analysis and told me I had a bunch of problems - duck walk, flat feet (what? so what's that arch-thingy in the middle of my foot?), arches falling at the back (what?). Yeah, I walk with my feet splayed mostly from being obese and dealing with a huge gut, and everyone knew walked with feet splayed. My mom tore into me when I was 8ish because I was walking like one of the neighbors who was slightly pigeon-toed.

    See a physio, see what they say

    What do you mean by "what"? Anything specific or just the whole paragraph?

    What reason do I give my GP to see a physiotherapist? I'm not in pain and have no mobility issues. My GP doesn't send me off for other appoints without a decent/good reason, being in pain the top one.
  • amyinthetardis1231
    amyinthetardis1231 Posts: 571 Member
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    zyxst wrote: »
    amyinthetardis1231 wrote: »
    I walked turned out from years of dance training. As long as your arches aren't falling inward and your feet aren't rolling (pressure on bunions or insteps), I don't think it's a major issue. If your gait causes your feet to roll inward, that puts pressure on your knees (bad), but if you're putting your whole foot flat on the ground with each step, I don't think it's a concern. At least, none of the podiatrists and physiatrists I've seen for other, unrelated issues (I promise, not related to my walk) have said it's a problem.

    I know not to put everything on what one person says, but the guy at the ortho shoe store did a mini gait analysis and told me I had a bunch of problems - duck walk, flat feet (what? so what's that arch-thingy in the middle of my foot?), arches falling at the back (what?). Yeah, I walk with my feet splayed mostly from being obese and dealing with a huge gut, and everyone knew walked with feet splayed. My mom tore into me when I was 8ish because I was walking like one of the neighbors who was slightly pigeon-toed.

    I would see what an orthopedic specialist or podiatrist has to say rather than taking the shoe salesguy's word as gospel. Are you having foot, knee, or back pain? If your arches are flat or fallen/falling, you can try a store-bought insole to lift them a bit and see how that feels, but if they're truly fallen or falling you might need a more customized arch support. A doctor is going to give you better advice than a shoe guy. But if it's not bothering you, don't worry about it.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    zyxst wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    What
    zyxst wrote: »
    amyinthetardis1231 wrote: »
    I walked turned out from years of dance training. As long as your arches aren't falling inward and your feet aren't rolling (pressure on bunions or insteps), I don't think it's a major issue. If your gait causes your feet to roll inward, that puts pressure on your knees (bad), but if you're putting your whole foot flat on the ground with each step, I don't think it's a concern. At least, none of the podiatrists and physiatrists I've seen for other, unrelated issues (I promise, not related to my walk) have said it's a problem.

    I know not to put everything on what one person says, but the guy at the ortho shoe store did a mini gait analysis and told me I had a bunch of problems - duck walk, flat feet (what? so what's that arch-thingy in the middle of my foot?), arches falling at the back (what?). Yeah, I walk with my feet splayed mostly from being obese and dealing with a huge gut, and everyone knew walked with feet splayed. My mom tore into me when I was 8ish because I was walking like one of the neighbors who was slightly pigeon-toed.

    See a physio, see what they say

    What do you mean by "what"? Anything specific or just the whole paragraph?

    What reason do I give my GP to see a physiotherapist? I'm not in pain and have no mobility issues. My GP doesn't send me off for other appoints without a decent/good reason, being in pain the top one.

    Oops, sorry, didn't mean anything, didn't know it was there!
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    edited February 2017
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    zyxst wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    What
    zyxst wrote: »
    amyinthetardis1231 wrote: »
    I walked turned out from years of dance training. As long as your arches aren't falling inward and your feet aren't rolling (pressure on bunions or insteps), I don't think it's a major issue. If your gait causes your feet to roll inward, that puts pressure on your knees (bad), but if you're putting your whole foot flat on the ground with each step, I don't think it's a concern. At least, none of the podiatrists and physiatrists I've seen for other, unrelated issues (I promise, not related to my walk) have said it's a problem.

    I know not to put everything on what one person says, but the guy at the ortho shoe store did a mini gait analysis and told me I had a bunch of problems - duck walk, flat feet (what? so what's that arch-thingy in the middle of my foot?), arches falling at the back (what?). Yeah, I walk with my feet splayed mostly from being obese and dealing with a huge gut, and everyone knew walked with feet splayed. My mom tore into me when I was 8ish because I was walking like one of the neighbors who was slightly pigeon-toed.

    See a physio, see what they say

    What do you mean by "what"? Anything specific or just the whole paragraph?

    What reason do I give my GP to see a physiotherapist? I'm not in pain and have no mobility issues. My GP doesn't send me off for other appoints without a decent/good reason, being in pain the top one.

    This would be my conversation with the GP (mainly just putting your comments together):

    "I walk with my feet splayed out and I'm trying to correct this, is this a bad idea? What I'm wondering is: if I don't have serious problems from walking like this after 44 years, should I be bothered to correct it? A guy at the ortho shoe store did a mini gait analysis and told me I had a bunch of problems - duck walk, flat feet, arches falling. Yeah, I walk with my feet splayed mostly from being obese and dealing with a huge gut.

    Is this something I should be concerned about and if so would you recommend and exam/discussion with an orthopedic specialist and/or physical therapist"?

  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
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    What's wrong with duck-footed? I'm fine with it.
    Walter Payton was duck-footed; he seemed to do okay as a runner.
    Mikhail Baryshnikov was duck-footed; he was pretty graceful, could jump like a cricket, and never seemed to develop any problems.
  • mmeyrow
    mmeyrow Posts: 4 Member
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    I used to duck walk. I changed my walk by paying attention and constantly correcting my walk. It took me a few years. I have no idea if it is good or bad for you to walk like that.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
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    GiddyupTim wrote: »
    What's wrong with duck-footed? I'm fine with it.
    Walter Payton was duck-footed; he seemed to do okay as a runner.
    Mikhail Baryshnikov was duck-footed; he was pretty graceful, could jump like a cricket, and never seemed to develop any problems.

    And there are 90 year olds that have smoked for 75 years. It happens, not real commom.

    We don't know anything about the poster's medical history, movement patterns, extent of duck foot, etc. It's not the typicalmovement pattern. If the OP is questioning, it is worth her while to ask a professional.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,135 Member
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    Packerjohn wrote: »
    GiddyupTim wrote: »
    What's wrong with duck-footed? I'm fine with it.
    Walter Payton was duck-footed; he seemed to do okay as a runner.
    Mikhail Baryshnikov was duck-footed; he was pretty graceful, could jump like a cricket, and never seemed to develop any problems.

    And there are 90 year olds that have smoked for 75 years. It happens, not real commom.

    We don't know anything about the poster's medical history, movement patterns, extent of duck foot, etc. It's not the typicalmovement pattern. If the OP is questioning, it is worth her while to ask a professional.

    I don't have pain/injuries caused by my out-toeing feet which I thought was mild. I thought asking here where there is a very broad people-base might show me somewhere that can answer "I have duck feet/out-toeing, but no pain or foot/leg problems. Do I need to change how I walk?" since I haven't been able to find anything searching online.

    Other than the ortho shoe guy, the only person to comment on how I walk was a neurologist who said (to the effect), "You walk like a fat person, not from a brain tumor."

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