May 24, 2012
Topics A-Z General One leg shorter than the other
One leg shorter than the other |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: My husband fell in september and is sill walking with a limp he is attending a gp and the doctor has said that one leg is 3cm shorter than the other how will he be able to sort out this and will it take long thank you Dear ANN MARIE: The effects of limb length discrepancy vary from patient to patient, depending on the cause and size of the difference. Differences of 3 1/2 percent to 4 percent of the total length of the leg (about 4 cm or 1 2/3 inches in an average adult) may cause noticeable abnormalities when walking. These differences may require the patient to exert more effort to walk.There is controversy about the effect of limb length discrepancy on back pain. Some studies show that people with a limb length discrepancy have a greater incidence of low back pain and an increased susceptibility to injuries. Other studies do not support this finding. For minor limb length discrepancy in patients with no deformity, treatment may not be necessary. Because the risks may outweigh the benefits, surgical treatment to equalize leg lengths is usually not recommended if the difference is less than 1 inch. For these small differences, the physician may recommend a shoe lift. A lift fitted to the shoe can often improve walking and running, as well as relieve any back pain that may be caused by the limb length discrepancy. Shoe lifts are inexpensive and can be removed if they are not effective. |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 28 January 2012 ) |
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