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.

What doctor can diagnose leg length discrepancy?

The first step in diagnosing a limb-length discrepancy is a complete medical history and physical examination by an orthopedic surgeon. During the exam, the doctor will measure your child's limbs to calculate how different they are in length.

Do podiatrists treat leg length discrepancy?

The best way to prevent joint pain and degeneration associated with leg-length discrepancy is to take preventive measures. If you suspect misalignment in your feet or posture, we strongly advise you to see a podiatrist, who will determine whether treatment is needed and establish a personalized plan.

What can be done for leg length discrepancy?

The treatments that can be considered include a shoe insert, a high shoe, or an orthosis, surgically induced slowing of growth by blockade of the epiphyseal plates around the knee joint, or leg lengthening with osteotomy and subsequent distraction of the bone callus with fully implanted or external apparatus.

When Should leg length discrepancy be corrected?

Most cases of congenital limb length discrepancy can be treated with lengthening and reconstruction. In many cases, we prefer to start the lengthening and reconstruction surgery process before the patient reaches the age of 4 years, often as young as 2 years of age.

How to Measure and Fix a Leg Length Discrepancy

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.

How does physical therapy fix leg length discrepancy?

Bend your arms and put your hands into fists, and then hold them in a defensive position near your chest. Step 2: Lean your body weight onto your longer leg. While taking a deep breath in, bend and lift your shorter leg until it's at the same length as your hip. Keep your foot pointed straight ahead.

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.

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.

Which hip hurts with leg length discrepancy?

Unequal leg lengths cause the pelvis to move abnormally. This is evidenced by the waddling gait of someone with a hip problem. This waddling gait helps remove pressure on the painful hip. With leg-length discrepancy, either hip joint can cause pain, and usually both hip joints hurt to some degree.

How is LLD diagnosed?

A tape measure is typically used to measure the length of each lower extremity by measuring the distance between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the medial malleolus and is referred to as the “direct” clinical method for measuring LLD (Fig. 2).

Does a podiatrist measure leg length?

It is best to see a podiatrist to help diagnose a leg length difference. A podiatrist will do a full biomechanical assessment with a gait analysis and they may send you for an x ray to measure the leg lengths. Treatment for a leg discrepancy depends on the severity. In most cases a heel lift or orthotic can be used.

How do you fix one leg shorter than the other?

Small leg length difference can be observed or treated with a shoe lift. Larger leg length differences may require surgery. Options for this include slowing down or stopping the growth of the longer leg or lengthening the shorter leg.

How much does leg shortening surgery cost?

The procedure costs $76,000 and requires two hours of surgery and weeks of physical therapy. If a person wants to add height to their appearance, it comes at a cost — $76,000, to be exact.

Which side hurts with leg length discrepancy?

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.

Is leg length discrepancy a disability?

To cause a disability, the inequality must remain uncorrected and involve a limb in daily use. An LLI of 1.5 to 3 cm may cause Osteoarthritis of the Hip of the long leg if LLI is present for a minimum period of 10 years prior to onset of the Osteoarthritis.

Can a chiropractor fix a short leg?

Functional Short Leg vs Anatomical Short Leg

The differences between the two conditions are significant, particularly when it comes to treatment. Both conditions can be treated by chiropractic for pain. Functional short leg syndrome can greatly benefit from chiropractic care as it helps to realign the body.

Do heel lifts work for leg length discrepancy?

Shoe lifts can help equalize leg lengths, and they are the most common nonsurgical treatment for a leg length discrepancy. In many cases, the lift can bring the discrepancy down to a comfortable level.

Can a chiropractor adjust your foot?

The treatment helps improve a person's nerves and physical movement. However, many people think that a chiropractic adjustment is to only strengthen the spine, but if you are suffering from foot or ankle problems, then a chiropractic foot adjustment might be precisely what you need to get back on your feet again.

How long does it take to heal from leg shortening surgery?

After the Procedure

Sometimes, a cast is placed on the leg for 3 to 4 weeks. Healing is complete in 8 to 12 weeks. The person can go back to regular activities at this time.

Who is the best limb lengthening surgeon?

How much leg length discrepancy is too much?

A discrepancy of less than 4 cm is tolerable." It seems that 3½ cm is the critical amount of shortening in an adult." Correction of such a deformity is imperative, particularly when the discrepancy is over 1 inch or 2.5 cm in difference."

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 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.

How can I realign my hips?

Steps to correct alignment:

Stand so that the side that is higher is closest to the table/bed. Take the side that is closest to the table/bed and place that side of your lower body(from your waist down) on the table, with the knee facing down into the table. Make sure that your hips or facing forward.