Leg Length Discrepancy and Back Pain: How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Does one pant leg always seem to drag, or does your back ache after a long day on your feet? You may be living with a leg length discrepancy (LLD), a surprisingly common difference in the length of your legs. Small differences are expected, but when one leg is clearly shorter, the pelvis can tip toward that side and the spine bends to make up for it. Gradually, that lopsided base can overwork the joints, discs, and muscles of the lower back.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS ABOUT LEG LENGTH DISCREPANCY
Research shows that measuring a leg length difference takes care and consistency. Tipton, Sutherland, and Schwarzkopf (1) found that estimates from a routine pelvic X-ray were significantly different from actual leg length, and recommended looking for any existing discrepancy before hip replacement surgery. Kadhim, Kelly, and Sabharwal (2) determined that three full-length standing X-ray methods gave comparable results, but advised using one technique consistently, particularly when the legs bow or angle. The source of the difference matters as well. Tolk, Eastwood, and Hashemi-Nejad (3) linked leg length differences in Perthes' disease to the upper end of the thigh bone near the hip. Birch, Makarov, and Jo (4) showed that when one part of a child's leg is shortened, the healthy part of that same leg generally doesn't grow extra to make up the difference. You can trust your chiropractor to figure it all out for you!
HOW CHIROPRACTIC CARE CAN HELP WITH UNEVEN LEG LENGTH
This is where your chiropractor plays a key role. Chiropractic's biggest contribution is spotting the discrepancy and understanding how it affects spinal mechanics in ways that may cause pain. Your exam may include checking pelvic level, posture, and gait, along with X-rays if necessary. Your care plan may then include careful spinal adjustments, flexion-distraction to ease pressure on sensitive joints and discs, specific exercises, and heel lifts when helpful. If a discrepancy requires orthopedic input, your chiropractic physician can certainly help coordinate that referral.
CONTACT Aaron Chiropractic Clinic
If your back pain doesn't seem to have an obvious cause, the answer may be right beneath you. Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. William Owen on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the importance of communicating well with patients and healthcare colleagues about back pain causes like leg length issues and The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management. Then, schedule a appointment with the chiropractic team at Aaron Chiropractic Clinic to learn whether leg length is part of your back pain picture and how to bring your spine back into balance.
