Leg length discrepancies are a fairly common occurrence in individuals of all age groups. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons indicates that 32 percent of individuals in a 600 person study had a leg length discrepancy of 1/5 inch to 3/5 of an inch. While this variation is normal, leg length discrepancies can also be substantial and cause pain in day-to-day activities. There are a series of tests used to help determine a leg length discrepancy.
Leg Length Discrepancy
Leg length discrepancies can range from mild to severe. There are a number of causes of leg length discrepancies. In some cases, a fractured leg can lead to a shortened limb. This is especially true in children, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. If a child breaks a bone, it is possible that the bone will grow more slowly than the rest of the child's body. Bone infections, including juvenile arthritis, can also lead to a leg length discrepancy. Diseases of the bone including neurofribomatosis, multiple hereditary exostoses and ollier disease can result in uneven leg length. A leg length discrepancy can also be a congenital defect. Individuals with a leg length discrepancy may walk differently, experience lower back pain and be more susceptible to lower extremity injuries.
Measuring the Discrepancy
To assess the discrepancy, your physician may measure the level of your hips, according to AAOS. He will then place measured wooden blocks under the shorter leg to determine the precise measurement of the leg length discrepancy.
X-rays
Your physician may also use x-rays of your upper legs and hips in order to get a precise reading of your leg length discrepancy. For children who are still growing, a physician is likely to repeat x-rays every six months in order to best determine if a leg length discrepancy has increased or has remained constant.
Scoliosis Screening
A leg length discrepancy can sometimes be determined during a scoliosis -- curvature of the spine -- screening, according to AAOS. Scoliosis is detected through a series of x-rays and a physical examination. However, it is important to remember that while a scoliosis screening can help determine if a patient's hips are uneven, scoliosis and leg length discrepancies are not related nor does one cause the other.
Gait Analysis
A gait analysis is another way to determine if a leg length discrepancy is present. Gait is the pattern of movement. Your physician will watch you walk back and forth down a hallway and look for tilted head or shoulders, according to Dr. David Levine in Podiatry Today. In order to get better gait analysis, he may opt to video record you as you walk. Pressure mapping is also used with gait analysis. Pressure analysis involves a physician examining the bottoms of your feet. Physicians look for symmetry in both feet.
Treatment
Treatment for leg length discrepancies can be surgical or nonsurgical. Surgical treatment can either slow the growth of the longer leg or lengthen the shorter leg. The latter is done by cutting an incision in the knee area or by using a series of wire frames called external fixators. The fixator is connected to the bone and is able to be cranked externally in order to lengthen a limb. For small differences in leg length, a shoe lift can be beneficial. They are inexpensive and can help improve walking for many patients.
