Did you know that there is a right way and a wrong way to walk? It might not be something you’ve ever really thought about or evaluated, but that just means the time is now. That’s because if you happen to have abnormalities with your gait (the way you walk), it can be the cause of your foot or ankle problem.
What could I be doing wrong?
After you read this post, check in with your feet and ankles. Take a walk across the room to see if you might be doing some of the following:
- Does any part of your foot hurt when taking steps? Maybe the balls of your feet or your heels?
- Are you leaning your foot more to the outside or inside?
- Are your toes pointed slightly outward, instead of forward?
- Have you been stomping, without realizing?
- Are all parts of your feet touching the ground at the same time?
How should I walk?
Look at the following aspects of your walking habits to see where you might be able to make some corrections.
- Foot strike: The way that each foot hits the ground should go as follows: heel > outside of the foot > ball of the foot > toes (as the heel comes off the ground). As the toes roll off, the heel of the other foot should be striking the ground, and continuing with the rest of the foot as described above.
- Foot direction: Next, pay attention to the shape of your feet as you walk. The feet should be walking on parallel tracks, not making zigzags or a V shape. If the toes point inward or outward, it can cause strain on the feet to help you stabilize.
- Ankle roll: Ideally, your ankles should be stacked in a line, between the heel bone and the knees. However, some may find their ankles to roll inward (overpronation) or outward (under pronation). This can cause ankle pain over time, especially if you have flat feet.
Next time you have a chance, check your gait to see if you should “walk this way.” If you a self-evaluation on your gait is difficult, you may want to have our podiatrist help you. Make an appointment by calling our office at (410) 721-4505 to consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. He can help you with an assessment and treatment if needed. Come visit our podiatry team at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie, MD areas.