Can having one leg shorter than the other cause problems?
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.
What problems can leg length discrepancy cause?
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. Children with mild arm-length discrepancies often adapt well to the difference.
Is it bad to have one leg longer than another?
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.
Can leg length discrepancy be corrected?
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.
When Should leg length discrepancy be corrected?
Conservative treatment There is good consensus that leg length discrepancy should be corrected to 1 cm and 2 cm residual inequality in growing children and after skeletal maturity, respectively (2, 22).
What doctor deals with leg length discrepancy?
If you have experienced one or more of these symptoms, be sure to consult a podiatrist for further diagnosis.
- Treating Leg Length Discrepancies.
- Shoe Lifts and Orthotics for Leg Length Discrepancy.
- Other Ways to Minimize Discomfort or Injury.
What causes one leg to grow longer than the other?
There are many different reasons to have a leg length discrepancy, but there are two main causes: 1) your child was born with a condition that caused one leg to grow slower than the other or 2) something happened during your child’s lifetime that affected the length of the bone (i.e. a fracture) or affected the growth …
Is it bad if one leg is shorter than the other?
Many people have marginally different leg lengths that cause no problems at all but when the difference is large enough, treatment for the discrepancy is required. Having one leg shorter than the other (“short leg syndrome”) can lead to a number of problems including pain in the back, hip, knee, and foot.
Why is my lower leg so short on one side?
Limb length discrepancy can be the result of a congenital issue, like hemihyperplasia – wherein one side of the body grows more than another. Or it can be “acquired,” like when a person breaks a leg and the mended bone heals short.
What are the symptoms of having a short leg?
Other symptoms related to a short leg can include: 1 An obvious observance of one leg being longer than the other 2 Poor posture 3 Problems with gait (manner of walking) 4 Balance problems or clumsiness 5 Pain in the lower back, hip, ankle or knee More
What are the effects of leg length discrepancy?
The effects and problems caused by leg length discrepancy can vary from person to person. Some people may have very minimal difference in the leg lengths and may not experience any noticeable changes or problems.