Noticing a crookedness or a lean off to one side when you walk, may be an indication of injury. Why do I look crooked? Why am I crooked when walking? Why do I lean to one side when I have back pain or sciatica? These are all questions many people get during episodes of spinal pain. This is something that can happen all of the sudden or as a gradual worsening with age. This all is a process termed antalgia. Essentially a deliberate or uncontrolled posturing that helps back pain or spinal pain.

Common reasons to apear crooked when walking.

• Short leg- typically seen with xray imaging. If more severe it may be noticeable on physical exam.
• Scoliosis- beginning in adolescence and may or may not progress until skeletal maturity around age 21.
• Spinal dysfunction- orthopedic injuries like bulging disc, facet meniscoid entrapment, arthritic changes such as spinal stenosis and foraminal stenosis.

What conditon shouldn’t be overlooked when walking crooked.

The most severe condition that should warrant investigation by a specialist is a bulging disc. The crookedness of the spine, called antalgia, is the way your body utilizes the spinal musculature to put you in a position that supports the injured disc. This condition can be present with or without associated leg pain, or sciatica. Sciatica caused by a bulging disc is the most common type cause of antalgia or being crooked when walking. If severe enough it can even affect sitting habits. This person tends to favor one buttock in the chair over the other and has trouble getting comfortable. Standing seems to be better even though they appear to be leaning to one side or with antalgia.

Crooked when walking, what does the antalgia mean?

Dependent on the direction the individual appears to be favoring, or going crooked towards, can tell us a lot about the disc protrusion. This is a very effective way to tell whether the disc protrusion is central or lateral, in relation to the nerve root. This is most effective when the individual has leg pain associated with the antalgia or crookedness.

What antalgia can tell us about the protruding disc creating sciatica.

Lateral vs. medial disc protrusion and antalgia.

A lateral disc protrusion as seen above as (A), is worse when leaning into the side of leg pain, and better when leaning away from side of leg pain. Inversely (B) shown a medial disc protrusion as leaning into leg pain side feels better, and is worst when leaning away from the leg pain side. Leg pain is also, in the lay community, termed sciatica.

Why you shouldn’t ignore crooked posture or antalgia.

This is the way the body protects itself against forces applied to the spine that may create further damage. Trying to stretch out the “crookedness” or lean off to a one side, is never a good idea. This is because of what was talked about above. If this is a disc protrusion, trying to stretch away from the crooked side will create additional loading to the injured disc creating more pain and injury. This type of orthopedic condition needs to be evaluated, and a proper diagnosis needs to be made. Diagnosis is the first step to treatement at Stine Chiropractic Clinic. With specialists in chiropractic orthopedics we are equipped to give you answers and get you on the path to recovery. All without the use of medications or surgery.

How chiropractic orthopedics can help.

Diagnosing the cause of antalgia can be obtained by one of these specialists. Once a diagnosis is formed by your chiropractic orthopedist, the correct treatment can be formulated. Commonly using xray imaging to see the deep structures of the body, the bones can be evaluated. This includes determining if a short leg is present, which is more common than not, and looking for other things like arthritis or degenerative disc disease. If a protruding disc is suspected to be the cause the physical exam by a chiropractic orthopedist will likely pick up the condition. In some cases advanced imaging like MRI is necessary. If this is the case, your chiropractic orthopedist can send you for this imaging. Treatment by this professional, as well as educating you on the condition, usually yeilds results within a week or two, and aome immediate relief can be expected as well. Full resolution, however, takes time and depends on whether you are follow instructions of care.

Spinal manipulation when crooked when walking.

Spinal manipulation can be performed by your chiropractic orthopedist, if they find it appropriate. Spinal manipulation is the use of small force applied to the spine to restore normal joint motion and function. Sometimes and audible pop can be heard, and should not raise alarm. This form of treatment isn’t the only form of treatment. In the scope of chiropractic orthopedics is also the use of exercises and theraputic modalities like electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and flexion distraction. These treatments are normally thought to be part of physical therapy and is in the scope of your chiropractic orthopedist.

Get in to see your specialist.

Making an appointment to see a chiropractic orthopedic specialist should be your first stop prior to trying at home measures like online videos of stretches, or bracing. Give Stine Chiropractic Clinic a call at 540 898 4100 to schedule today. A chiropractor in Fredericksburg VA, since 1986, specializing in orthopedics and sports injury!

If you’re in Fredericksburg Va, then Stine Chiropractic Clinic has a treatment approach for your condition. With the only board certified chiropractic orthopedists in Virginia, finding a chiropractor in Fredericksburg Va that includes the orthopedic specialty, is easier.