Q: My son is 10 years old. Normal, strong but has difficulty in squatting like when using the Indian toilet. Why is this so?

A:The reason would probably lie in the tight heel cord (tendo-achilles) which is quite common in normal pre-adolescent boys. This would lead to difficulty in bringing the ankle up, which is required while squatting. Otherwise, the cause can lie in the knee or hip joints. The patient needs to be examined for the answer.