If you have a leg length discrepancy, you are not alone. Approximately 90% percent of the population has some anatomic leg-length asymmetry, also known as anisomelia (LLD).
Having a leg length discrepancy does not always mean that you will suffer from mobility issues, however, a majority of cases have a large impact on the body’s biomechanical system and can result in numerous gait problems including back pain, imbalances, and much more.
The problem with leg discrepancy is if it goes untreated, it could eventually lead to arthritis of the knee, hip, and even lower back spine.
If If you feel you may have a leg length discrepancy, it is important to see your doctor and discuss possible treatments and therapy, such as custom orthotics.
Keep on reading to learn more about leg length discrepancy and how custom orthotics can help to relieve your pain and help you enjoy life again.
What is Leg Length Discrepancy?
Leg Length discrepancy is a condition of uneven leg length, which can be characterized into two categories; functional and anatomical.
Functional leg length discrepancy is usually caused by poor joint posture, for example, where your knees knock together while standing. This causes an uneven alignment in all the structures, causing unbalanced muscle tension and length.
Anatomical leg length discrepancy typically happens during the growth and development of the child, this is a growth asymmetry. This creates an actual difference in length between the right and left femurs and/or the right and left tibias.
If gone untreated, leg length discrepancy can lead to problems such as:
- Patellar tendinitis
- Back pain
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Hip arthritis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Trochanteric bursitis
- Achilles tendinitis
- Sacroiliac discomfort
- Sciatica
As you can see, if gone untreated, several issues could develop from a leg length discrepancy. The longer you wait, the more problems you will experience.
Treatment For Leg Length Discrepancy
Thankfully, your chiropractor can use multiple modalities to help you re-align and adjust your leg discrepancy. The first and most important step is to prevent it from getting worse by immediately correcting the length difference.
This is where custom orthotics come in. By inserting the right custom orthotic into your daily shoes, you can immediately provide symmetry to your legs and feel relief from the discomfort you have been experiencing for years.
During this time of wearing the orthotics, your chiropractor will also provide treatments such as adjustments to help realign the spinal column, which would have been altered over time due to your LLD.
Your chiropractor will also give you a list of exercises to follow, that will help to strengthen the weakened muscles, stabilizers, and create more balance between your right and left sides.
Learn More About Custom Orthotics For Leg Length Discrepancy
Custom orthotics can help you to immediately find relief as you work together with your chiropractor to realign and adjust the asymmetry of your body.
To learn more about custom orthotics and how they can help you enjoy your life, pain-free, feel free to contact us at any time!
