When the distance between the ankle and pelvis differs between the two legs, there is a leg length difference. This phenomenon occurs in about 50% of the population. However, complaints often do not occur until the difference between the two legs exceeds two centimeters.
A leg length difference can lead to a variety of symptoms. Clinicians often pay little attention to leg length discrepancy as a possible cause of complaints. Consequently, complaints often persist unnecessarily long. In this article, you can learn more about the causes, associated symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of leg length discrepancy.
What is a leg length difference?
As mentioned earlier, we speak of a leg length difference when the distance between the ankle and the pelvis differs between the two legs. When this difference exceeds one centimeter, it is referred to as a leg length difference in the physical field.
The leg length difference causes the pelvis to become crooked. This misalignment is noticeable only when you stand and disappears when you lie down or sit down. At that point, the influence of the length of the legs on the position of the pelvis is eliminated.
In addition to pelvic misalignment, some people compensate for the leg length difference by tiptoeing more.
How does a leg length difference occur?
A leg length difference can have several causes. The difference in height may be congenital or developed during growth. When one leg receives less blood supply during growth, it may lag behind in development, eventually causing the legs to differ in length.
In addition to problems in development and growth, bone fractures in the legs or hip dislocation can lead to differences in leg length.
Finally, a leg length difference can also be caused by increased muscle tension in the pelvic area and/or back. The high muscle tension skews the pelvis causing the leg length difference. This is called a functional leg length difference.
Complaints caused by a leg length difference
As mentioned earlier, most symptoms occur only when the difference between the two legs exceeds two centimeters. The body tries in various ways to compensate for the length difference in the legs and the pelvic misalignment that occurs as a result.
Because of pelvic misalignment, the spine curves to compensate for the misalignment and keep the shoulders and head straight. A lateral curvature then develops in the spine, also called scoliosis.
Because of this disruption in the shape of the spine, tension increases in the back, shoulder and neck muscles resulting in (lower) back pain, neck pain and headaches.
In addition, overuse complaints often occur in the longer leg. This leg has to make larger ranges of motion and provide more muscle power. Furthermore, a distinctive and abnormal walking pattern often develops.
The resulting abnormalities in stature and gait pattern can cause osteoarthritis in knees and/or hips in the long run.
The treatment of a leg length difference
To treat the symptoms, it is important to address the leg length difference in order for the symptoms to decrease. Custom shoes or insoles can often eliminate (some of) the difference.
In addition, the chiropractor has much knowledge and techniques to identify the cause of leg length difference and treat your symptoms. The chiropractor specializes primarily in correcting the increased muscle tension that may underlie your leg length difference. The so-called functional leg length difference.
When the muscle tension (tonus) in the hip normalizes, the leg is pulled up less/more, normalizing leg length.