What causes apparent leg length discrepancy?

What causes apparent leg length discrepancy?

There are many different reasons to have a leg length discrepancy, but there are two main causes: 1) your child was born with a condition that caused one leg to grow slower than the other or 2) something happened during your child’s lifetime that affected the length of the bone (i.e. a fracture) or affected the growth …

What is considered a significant leg length discrepancy?

A survey of 74 skeletally mature patients with leg length discrepancies of 1.5 cm or more revealed that patients with less than a 2.0-cm discrepancy did not consider their short leg to be a problem in any way.

Can you fix leg length discrepancy?

If a child has stopped growing, orthopedists can sometimes correct a leg length discrepancy by shortening the longer leg. This is done by removing a piece of bone from the longer leg. Limb lengthening surgery also can be done.

How can I even out my leg length?

Wearing a lift in the shoe worn on the shorter leg can help reduce back pain and improve the ability to walk with a normal gait. This is the usual treatment for mild leg length discrepancy (less than 2 centimeters). In more severe cases, surgery to even out the leg length might be considered.

What is the difference between true and apparent leg length?

A: True leg length is a measure from a point on the pelvis (ASIS) to the ankle and apparent leg length is a measure from the umbilicus to the ankle. The latter is affected by hip abduction or adduction as well as knee and hip flexion.

How do you fix leg length discrepancy without surgery?

Non-surgical treatments for leg-length discrepancy

1. A shoe lift inside the shoe of your child’s shorter leg can level out the difference in leg lengths.
2. Physical therapy includes special stretches and exercises that can help reduce pain and increase overall function.

What is Epiphysiodesis surgery?

Epiphysiodesis is a surgery that is performed on the physis, or growth plate, of the longer leg. The surgery can involve drilling the growth plate, placing screws across it or tethering it on either side with plates to prevent the bone from growing.

What is a CT Scanogram?

Term Description. A computed tomography (CT) scanogram is a low-dose, non-contrast radiation imaging modality used for a variety of indications, including ante version, femur length and tibial length.

How long is epiphysiodesis surgery?

Hemi-epiphysiodesis surgery (in which a growth plate is used) is performed under anesthesia and generally takes about an hour. During the procedure, the surgeon will make a 1 inch incision at the growth plate, through which a titanium plate is secured to the bone with two small titanium screws.

How to evaluate for leg length discrepancy?

Examination and outcome measures. The most accurate method to identify leg (limb) length inequality ( discrepancy ) is through radiography. It’s also the best way to differentiate an anatomical from a functional limb length inequality.

What is a true leg length?

True limb length is usually defined as the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the medial malleolus. True leg length inequality is defined as lengthening or shortening of the above measurement as compared with the contralateral limb.

Why are my legs uneven?

The cause of an uneven leg can be functional such as hip tightness, misalignments, and curves in the spine. Over time this type of causes can lead to an discrepancy in one leg. Another cause of an uneven leg can be anatomical such as bone fractures, surgeries, polio, and uneven bone length.

Do leg length differences cause pain?

Leg length differences can cause hip, knee and back pain. Experts agree that once the difference between the two legs is 1-2 cm, that’s where the real problems start, including bothersome pain and limited movements. Even 5 mm can create long term problems in the joints of your lower body.