Leg length discrepancies (LLD) can lead to symptomatic biomechanical asymmetry. Indefinable LLDs can go undetected as can the etiology of the pathology they create. Discrepancies in leg lengths vary from the subtle to the obvious. Understanding the patient’s lifestyle and activity level will help determine when to address LLD.

The two major categories are structural and functional.

Structural discrepancies result from an actual anatomic shortening of one or more of the bones of the lower extremity:

• Growth plate injury during childhood or adolescence.
• Fractures.
• Genetic.
• Acquired conditions that affect bone growth.
• Spinal abnormalities such as scoliosis.

Functional leg length differences usually occur as a result of muscular weakness or inflexibility at the pelvis or foot and ankle complex:

• Pelvic obliquity.
• Adduction or flexion contractures of the hip.
• Genu varum, valgum or recurvatum.
• Calcaneovalgus.
• Equinovarus.
• Rearfoot pronation.

Compensations and Symptoms:

• The most common symptom associated with LLD is backache.
• Causes the center of gravity to be shifted to the short leg side.
• Pelvic tilt (to the short side).
• Lumbar scoliosis (convex to the short side).
• Knee flexion (increased on the long side).
• Genu recurvatum (on the short side).
• Subtalar joint pronation (on the long side).
• Ankle plantar flexion.
• Foot supination (on the short side).
• Flank pain.
• Arthritis of the knee.
• Psoasitis, arthritis of the hip.
• Patellar tendinitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome.
• Plantar fasciitis.
• Medial tibial stress syndrome.
• Metatarsalgia.

Symptoms affecting the short extremity include:

• Iliotibial band syndrome with lateral knee pain.
• Trochanteric bursitis.
• Sacroiliac discomfort.
• Achilles tendinitis.
• Cuboid syndrome.
• Functional LLD.

The symptoms will usually appear on the short side first and include:

• Plantar fasciitis.
• Medial tibial stress syndrome.
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome.
• Iliotibial band syndrome.
• Ipsilateral sacroiliac discomfort with contralateral low back pain.
• Secondary psoasitis.

If you would like to make an initial booking enquiry for a Leg Length Discrepancy assessment at the Walk IN Foot Clinic then please submit your details below with a preferred day and we will get back to you as soon as possible with a confirmation of your appointment or suggest an alernative.