OT: Danger of Crossing your Legs

Need to talk about this danger to US ALL. Please don't LEARN to cross your legs. I have permanent damage to both my legs and feet from crossing my legs. I have two indentations on the outside of my upper calf muscles....you can SEE & FEEL the sunken areas on my legs all from crossing my legs.
I did this to myself and didn't know how dangerous it would be. Because of this leg crossing I developed drop foot and paralysis of my right foot, diminished feelings in both feet, wound up in the hospital, had to have PT, wear an appliance, and walk with a cane or Canadian crutches. The nerves below the skin and in the muscles became compressed as I crossed my now skinnier legs. It felt so good to be able to cross my legs, hadn't been able to do this in maybe 30 yrs. It got so bad I could not lift my right foot, scary looking at my foot and telling it to pick up, lift up, stick up, move and IT WOULD NOT MOVE. Falling down happened alot. Stumbling alot.
When I saw my VA  podiatrist he immediately put in a consult with a neurologist who diagnosed me in minutes, told me to never cross the legs again, put in PT orders. Had to wear a big white support appliance for months. I worked hard and did recover the ability to lift and move the foot, but not totally better will it ever be. I have to concentrate when I walk and be so aware of where I step or what I step on. The cane helps me walk more confidence than walking without it, now I use the cane always. When I injured my right knee 4 weeks ago on the pool ladder I had to get my Canadian crutches out and use them again.
So please take heed and believe me, DON'T CROSS THE LEGS. Leave them on the floor.

Monica,
   Thanks for this valuable information. And to think I was looking forward to being able to cross my legs when my weight loss would allow it. Obviously better for me not to even go there.    Mag  

Aloha Monica and thanks again for this reminder of a problem waiting to happen to us. I was SO EXCITED when I could cross my legs and sit in small spaces like airplace seats without any problems. Oh the success!! And then they say that it isn't good for us.....bah humbug.....how cruel.

I can sit on living room floor legs tucked up underneath me and work on projects with my kids/friends. LOVE IT! But now you tell me I can't do that because it could damage nerves, tendons, all those little connectors. What a rip off!! But I will remember to play it easy and cross legs only when I feel no pressure to tuck them easily without squishing good stuff. Big girl stuff.....bah humbug!! But worth it.......so very worth it.

Congratulations on being ABLE to entertwine those beautiful legs.........even if we don't actually do it. Sigh. Keep up the great work........life is a big party..........little by little we get to celebrate each day...our return to health, happiness, and joy.

Keep up the great work...........doing backflips in my mind for you and everyone finding their bliss.

Aloha nui loa,

OXOXOXO

Maui Karen

Moncia,
Thanks for the reminder. I knew crossing your legs is a no-no but I will admit that was one of my Whhhhoooooo moments...to cross my legs. It felt so good to do that, in fact I would cross my legs riding in the car. Ugh! Okay, I will make a note to myself to stop it when I do find myself crossing my legs. Last year I made a promise to myself to stop doing that.

I fell once after eating in the cafe' crossing my legs and got up to stand. Went right down on my butt!

Oh my...I always cross my legs....need to watch that!!

Thanks for the information...as I sit here with my legs crossed...duh!!

Hugs......connie d

I am one who crosses her legs, and there is another danger.  Deep Vein Thrombosis-blood clots, can form as well.  My mom got them in her legs when she was younger.  So did my sis.  I got clots in my lungs, which probably started in my legs. 

Thanks for reminding me that I need to stop.

Hugs,
Trish

Wow! I had NO idea!  Thank you for warning us, Monica!

 

But...I DO have to ask..being a Cannuck myself...just what are CANADIAN CRUTCHES?

Ha Ha, mid chest high metal crutches with forearm hooks.  They don't fit under your arms, but attach on the forearms, have hand grips.

 I always cross my legs!  And now you're telling me I can't!  That was a WOOHOOO moment for me too.  I always sit with my legs crossed at home in the evening.  Makes me feel .

K...mental note to self - do not cross legs, do not cross legs, do not cross legs...we'll see if that helps.

My mom was getting on me about this when I was home for Christmas, and I didn't know why. I don't do it often, just when I have my legs up, and mostly I'm crossing my ankles, not really my legs. I never sit cross-legged on the floor (because with my knee replacement, I'd have problems getting up). But sometimes, I just cross my legs at the ankles in bed or on the recliner ... don't know if that's bad or not. All I know is the older I get, the more aches I have, just from  walking.