Can uneven leg length cause back pain?

If there is a difference in length of leg, then the distance between each stride will be uneven and this will affect the manner of walking. The symptom that causes the biggest problem is pain in the lower back as well as pain in other lower limb joints such as knees, hips and ankles.

Can uneven legs cause lower back pain?

Those who suffer from functional leg length discrepancy are those who tend to suffer from lower back pain. The Academy of Clinical Massage shares that tight back muscles on the “short side” are often the cause of the leg length difference.

What happens if one leg is slightly longer than the other?

Some people are born with one leg longer than the other. In other cases, injury or illness causes a discrepancy in leg length that may progress over time. This isn't necessarily something to worry about, as a little variation is normal and likely won't lead to any health issues.

What problems can uneven legs cause?

Legs of two different lengths require children to change their normal posture and walking patterns. Depending on the degree of difference, leg-length disparities can lead to a variety of problems, such as functional scoliosis, and hip, knee, and ankle problems.

How do you fix leg length discrepancy?

Leg length discrepancy between 2 and 5 cm can be equalized. This can be achieved by shoe lift and/or insoles. Alternatively, an intramedullary lengthening nail can be used for leg length equalization. In skeletally immature patients, it is possible to treat differences in leg length by growth arrest.

Do You Have One Longer Leg? How to Tell and What to Do.

Can having one leg longer than the other cause back problems?

The difference in length is usually very small, and because the body adjusts itself accordingly, an individual may never notice nor have a problem with leg length inequality. This is usually if the discrepancy is less than 5 mm, but a difference higher than this can lead to lower back pain.

Can a chiropractor fix leg length?

Research has highlighted that specific chiropractic adjustments to the spine and pelvis have the potential to address functional leg length discrepancies by restoring normal alignment to these regions of the body.

Which leg hurts with leg length discrepancy?

With leg-length discrepancy, either hip joint can cause pain, and usually both hip joints hurt to some degree. To propel the leg forward, the hip joint must be raised which strains the gluteus medius muscle and the posterior hip ligaments.

Can uneven hips cause back pain?

Having uneven hips is often associated with an anterior pelvic tilt. These two can drastically change a person's back health, posture, and overall biomechanics. A slight misalignment can cause pain and discomfort in the hip and lower back regions.

Why do chiropractors check leg length?

Some chiropractors check the leg length in the supine position (lying on your back) and some in the prone position (lying on your stomach). The main purpose of checking leg length is to determine potential postural distortions in the overall structure of the body.

Can a shorter leg cause hip pain?

Usually, the discrepancy is small – less than a centimeter – and it probably doesn't make a difference to your health. But some researchers suspect that larger discrepancies could play a role in knee and hip pain. They call the phenomenon “short-leg syndrome” or “leg-length inequality.”

How long does it take to fix uneven hips?

After about six to eight weeks, you'll notice significant improvements since the ligaments and joints are starting to heal. Also, it's fine if you can only meet with our chiropractors once a week during this period.

What causes uneven leg length in adults?

It may be an inherited trait or caused by trauma (such as breaking your leg as a child). In adults, unequal leg length can occur if you break a leg or undergo hip, knee or ankle surgery and end up with a shorter bone on one side. Functional leg length discrepancy is caused by asymmetrical posture.

How do you know if your hips are out of alignment?

How do you know if your leg is out of alignment?

Check how you walk

If you notice that the toes on one side of your body are pointed out more than the other side, or if both sides are pointed out (greater than a 7-degree angle), then that may indicate something in your lower body is out of alignment.

How do I align my lower back and hips?

Find a somewhat firm surface and lay on your back. Once on your back bend both of your knees while keeping your feet flat on the table. Bridge up(lifting your hips off the table) and back down once. Straighten your legs slowly until you are flat on the table.

What doctor do you see for 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.

Can uneven leg length cause SI joint pain?

SI joint pain and dysfunction has multiple causes including direct injury or trauma (fall, motor vehicle accident), scoliosis and leg length discrepancy placing uneven pressure on one side of the pelvis, pregnancy causing ligaments in the SI joints to relax and pelvic changes associated with child birth, and previous ...

Can a shorter leg cause neck pain?

If the left side of the pelvis is higher due to a leg length discrepancy, then the base of the spine (i.e., the sacrum and coccyx) will shift toward that side also causing a compensatory shift in the rest of the spine all of the way up to the neck and head.

How do Chiropractors adjust leg length?

A Chiropractor Can Help with Leg Length Discrepancy

However, if you suffer from leg length discrepancy, your chiropractor will address the various misalignments he or she finds throughout your legs, hips, pelvis and spine by administering very specific chiropractic adjustments. He or she may also prescribe orthotics.

How can you tell if you have one leg shorter than the other?

How to Determine Differences in Leg Length. The only real way to assess a permanent, structural difference in leg length is through the use of an X-Ray or CT scan. This is because sometimes the appearance of uneven legs isn't due to an actual difference in leg length.

Is there a surgery to fix leg length discrepancy in adults?

Leg shortening is employed when LLD is severe and when a patient has already reached skeletal maturity. The actual surgery is called an osteotomy , which entails the removal of a small section of bone in the tibia (shinbone) and sometimes the fibula as well, resulting in the loss of around an inch in total height.

Can uneven hips cause sciatica?

Unequal muscle tension can cause uneven shoulders and hips, causing one leg to draw up shorter than the other. This can easily irritate the sciatic nerve and be the underlying cause of your condition.

Can chiropractors fix uneven hips?

The short answer to the question of whether your chiropractor can fix uneven hips is yes. Your chiropractor will be able to use their extensive training to uncover the cause of uneven hips and develop different ways that you can straighten any curvature.