Unequal leg length
Encyclopedia
Unequal leg length or leg length inequality (LLI) refers to a medical condition where the leg
s are of different lengths.
One form is "leg length alignment asymmetry" (LLAA) which is a condition in physiology
where one leg (the 'short leg', or unloaded leg) is unequal in length while in a supine
or prone position (i.e., lying down).
LLAA can be either anatomical in nature (short bones due to growth or an accident) or neuromuscular (hypertonicity in the musculature of the pelvis or leg
).
The most common treatment for discrepancies in leg length is the use of a simple heel lift, which can be placed within the shoe.
Although prone "functional leg length" is a widely used chiropractic
tool in their Activator technique
, it is not a recognized anthropometric
technique, since legs are usually of unequal length, and measurements in the prone position are not entirely valid estimates of standing X-ray differences. Measurements in the standing position are far more reliable. Another confounding factor
is that simply moving the two legs held together and leaning them imperceptibly to one side or the other produces different results.
Human leg
The human leg is the entire lower extremity or limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh and even the hip or gluteal region; however, the precise definition in human anatomy refers only to the section of the lower limb extending from the knee to the ankle.Legs are used for standing,...
s are of different lengths.
One form is "leg length alignment asymmetry" (LLAA) which is a condition in physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
where one leg (the 'short leg', or unloaded leg) is unequal in length while in a supine
Supine position
The supine position is a position of the body: lying down with the face up, as opposed to the prone position, which is face down, sometimes with the hands behind the head or neck. When used in surgical procedures, it allows access to the peritoneal, thoracic and pericardial regions; as well as the...
or prone position (i.e., lying down).
LLAA can be either anatomical in nature (short bones due to growth or an accident) or neuromuscular (hypertonicity in the musculature of the pelvis or leg
Human leg
The human leg is the entire lower extremity or limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh and even the hip or gluteal region; however, the precise definition in human anatomy refers only to the section of the lower limb extending from the knee to the ankle.Legs are used for standing,...
).
The most common treatment for discrepancies in leg length is the use of a simple heel lift, which can be placed within the shoe.
Although prone "functional leg length" is a widely used chiropractic
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine...
tool in their Activator technique
Activator technique
The Activator Method Chiropractic Technique is a chiropractic treatment method and device created by Arlan Fuhr as an alternative to manual manipulation of the spine or extremity joints...
, it is not a recognized anthropometric
Anthropometry
Anthropometry refers to the measurement of the human individual...
technique, since legs are usually of unequal length, and measurements in the prone position are not entirely valid estimates of standing X-ray differences. Measurements in the standing position are far more reliable. Another confounding factor
Confounding
In statistics, a confounding variable is an extraneous variable in a statistical model that correlates with both the dependent variable and the independent variable...
is that simply moving the two legs held together and leaning them imperceptibly to one side or the other produces different results.