| People with leg length discrepancy, when one leg is longer than the other, usually have a waddling-type gait where the hips seem to move up and down during walking as the body tries to compensate for the inequality.
There are two types of leg length discrepancy. -
The first type of leg length discrepancy involves a structural defect, where one bone is longer or shorter than the corresponding bone of the other limb. This can occur within the femur (upper leg bone) or the tibia and fibular (lower leg bones). -
Functional leg length discrepancy results from altered mechanics due to a malalignment in the spine or lower extremity. |
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| Symptoms of Leg Length Discrepancy |
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| In addition to the distinctive walk of a person with leg length discrepancy, over time, other deformities may be noted, which help compensate for the condition: -
Toe walking on the short side to decrease the swaying during gait. -
The foot will supinate (high arch) on the shorter side. -
The foot will pronate (flattening of the arch) on the longer side. -
Excessive pronation leads to hypermobility and instability, resulting in metatarsus primus varus and associated unilateral juvenile hallux valgus (bunion) deformity. |
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| Causes of Leg Length Discrepancy |
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| There are many causes of leg length discrepancy. -
Structural inequality is due to interference of normal bone growth of the lower extremity, which can occur from trauma or infection in a child. -
Functional inequality has many causes, including: -
Poliomyelitis or other paralytic deformities can retard bone growth in children. -
Contracture of the Iliotibial band. -
Scoliosis or curvature of the spine. -
Fixed pelvic obliquity. -
Abduction or flexion contraction of the hip. -
Flexion contractures or other deformities of the knee. -
Foot deformities. |
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| Relieve and Prevent Leg Length Discrepancy |
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| The object of treatment for leg length discrepancy is to level the pelvis and equalize the length of the two limbs. Inequalities of 2-2.5 centimeters can be handled with the following: -
Heel lifts/ adjustable heel lifts can be used inside a shoe where shoes have a full heel counter. -
Heel lifts may be added to the heel on the outside of the shoe along with an internal heel lift. -
Full platforms along the forefoot and rearfoot area of a shoe can be added.
There are many different adjustable heel lifts available on the market. Stride Orthopaedics, for example, uses the Clearly adjustable heel lift an adjustable heel lift designed to correct leg length discrepancy. Three separate 1/8” layers enable wearers to adjust height from 3/8” to 1/4” to 1/8” just by removing one or more layers.
For treatment of a leg length discrepancy, consult your physician. They may refer you to a Physiotherapist or Chiropractor for determination of the type of LLD. A Certified Pedorthist (Canada) will treat a structural leg length discrepancy with a heel lift or in larger discrepancies a footwear modification.
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