What should I do if I can't squat down with both legs together?

Being unable to squat with legs together may be caused by symptoms such as muscle stiffness or bone deformities, or could result from conditions like muscle spasms. Exercises such as squeezing a book between the knees or surgical treatments can help alleviate the condition.

1. Squeezing a book between the knees: Stand upright with feet together and place a book between the knees. Perform 20 squat-and-stand exercises, ensuring the book does not fall during the movement. Consistently practicing this exercise over time can improve the ability to squat.

2. Surgical release of muscles and tendons: Contracture and fibrotic degeneration of the gluteal muscles and fascia, caused by various factors, can restrict hip joint function. This is usually treated surgically by releasing the contracted tissues or partially removing the affected areas, which can improve difficulty in squatting with legs together.

3. Bone corrective surgery: When an abnormal shape of the talus bone in the foot causes difficulty in squatting with legs together, corrective reconstructive surgery is the definitive treatment. Although costly, it effectively improves squatting difficulties.

Difficulty in squatting with legs together can also be improved through strengthening leg exercises and ligament stretching. If symptoms do not improve, patients are advised to seek timely medical evaluation at a hospital for further diagnosis and active treatment.