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.

Does leg length discrepancy matter?

Most experts agree that 0.5 centimeters (1/8 inch) or less of leg length difference is not significant. Furthermore, most clinicians agree that mild to modest discrepancies should not be corrected in the absence of pain or dysfunction. If it doesn’t hurt, then don’t fix it.

Is it OK to squat with uneven legs?

To squat with uneven legs you can stand on a small weight plate with the shorter leg, wear insoles in your shoes (if the discrepancy is above 5-10mm), and squat with a slightly staggered stance. Squatting with uneven legs can cause muscular imbalances, pain, injury, and can inhibit squat progress if not addressed.

What happens if one leg is longer than the other?

A leg length discrepancy may be functional or structural in nature. Minor discrepancies often cause no symptoms or problems. However, moderate-to-severe asymmetry may cause issues with walking and posture, and it can contribute to hip and back pain.

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.

Can leg length discrepancy fix itself?

Treatment for a discrepancy depends upon the severity. In many cases, a minor difference in leg length can be well tolerated or evened out by wearing a small lift in one shoe. A child with a more significant difference, however, may benefit from surgery to make their legs the same length.

Can one leg become shorter than the other?

Having one leg longer than the other is relatively common. The condition is known as leg length discrepancy. Some research indicates that 40–70% of people have some form of leg length discrepancy (LLD). The differences in leg length can range from a fraction of an inch to several inches.

What happens if one leg is shorter than the other?

How many people have leg length discrepancy?

A surprisingly large percentage of the population has a Leg Length Discrepancy (LLD) – I’ve seen estimates, probably conservative, that 70% of the population exhibit LLD. It’s normally not noticeable when the difference is less than 1/2 inch (13 mm) or so.

Why is it rare to have a perfectly symmetrical leg?

When there is a way to accurately measure leg length – and this is difficult when the discrepancy is small – perfectly symmetrical leg length becomes quite rare. Perfectly symmetrical anything is quite rare, because the processes that generate physical objects in our end of the universe are not uniform much above the molecular level.

Is it common to have a short leg?

Having a short leg is a relatively common thing. Several of my trainees have them. Something like 1/3rd of the population has a leg length discrepancy of between 0.5 and 1.5 cm. You are in good company. Just because you have a short leg does not mean that you cannot train.

Why is it important to make your legs the same length?

Making the legs the same length restores the pelvis to a symmetrical position in the horizontal plane, and therefore restores lateral symmetry to the lumbar spine and any load it bears.