There are two main types of leg length inequalities:
There are two main types of leg length inequalities:
* One is caused by the legs themselves being measurably different in length, usually due to differences in the length of the [[femur]] in the thigh or the [[tibia]] and [[fibula]] bones in the lower leg. This may be a [[birth defect]] or it may occur after a [[trauma|broken leg]], serious [[infection]], or local damage to one of the [[growth plate]]s in a leg.
===Structural Leg Length Discrepancy===
* The other, more common, type is seen when the legs themselves are the same length, but due to [[neuromuscular]] injuries in the [[human pelvis|pelvis]] or upper leg, one leg or hip is held higher and tighter than the other ([[hypertonicity]] in the musculature of the pelvis or leg). These unequally tightened muscles cause the legs to seem to be different lengths, even though careful measurement would show equal lengths of the actual leg. This is called leg length alignment asymmetry and can be seen while lying down.<ref>Knutson, G. A.[http://www.chiroandosteo.com/content/13/1/12 "Anatomic and functional leg-length inequality: A review and recommendation for clinical decision-making. Part II, the functional or unloaded leg-length asymmetry".] ''Chiropractic & Osteopathy'', 2005, 13:12 {{doi|10.1186/1746-1340-13-12}}.</ref>
Structural leg length discrepancy is caused by the legs themselves being measurably different in length, usually due to differences in the length of the [[femur]] in the thigh or the [[tibia]] and [[fibula]] bones in the lower leg. This may be a [[birth defect]] or it may occur after a [[trauma|broken leg]], serious [[infection]], or local damage to one of the [[growth plate]]s in a leg.
===Functional Leg Length Discrepancy===
The other, more common, type is seen when the legs themselves are the same length, but due to [[neuromuscular]] injuries in the [[human pelvis|pelvis]] or upper leg, one leg or hip is held higher and tighter than the other ([[hypertonicity]] in the musculature of the pelvis or leg). These unequally tightened muscles cause the legs to seem to be different lengths, even though careful measurement would show equal lengths of the actual leg. This is called leg length alignment asymmetry and can be seen while lying down.<ref>Knutson, G. A.[http://www.chiroandosteo.com/content/13/1/12 "Anatomic and functional leg-length inequality: A review and recommendation for clinical decision-making. Part II, the functional or unloaded leg-length asymmetry".] ''Chiropractic & Osteopathy'', 2005, 13:12 {{doi|10.1186/1746-1340-13-12}}.</ref>
Synonyms and keywords: Unequal leg length, leg length inequality, leg length alignment asymmetry
Overview
Leg length discrepancy is a medical condition where the legs are of different sizes. There are two main types of leg length inequalities. The first type is caused by the legs themselves being measurably different in length as seen in birth defects, broken leg or serious infection. The other, more common, type is refereed to as leg length alignment asymmetry, a condition where the short leg is unequal in length while in a supine or prone position. Leg length alignment asymmetry can be the result of hypertonicity in the musculature of the pelvis or leg.[1]
Classification
There are two main types of leg length inequalities:
Structural Leg Length Discrepancy
Structural leg length discrepancy is caused by the legs themselves being measurably different in length, usually due to differences in the length of the femur in the thigh or the tibia and fibula bones in the lower leg. This may be a birth defect or it may occur after a broken leg, serious infection, or local damage to one of the growth plates in a leg.
Functional Leg Length Discrepancy
The other, more common, type is seen when the legs themselves are the same length, but due to neuromuscular injuries in the pelvis or upper leg, one leg or hip is held higher and tighter than the other (hypertonicity in the musculature of the pelvis or leg). These unequally tightened muscles cause the legs to seem to be different lengths, even though careful measurement would show equal lengths of the actual leg. This is called leg length alignment asymmetry and can be seen while lying down.[2]
↑Raczkowski, JW.; Daniszewska, B.; Zolynski, K. (2010). "Functional scoliosis caused by leg length discrepancy". Arch Med Sci. 6 (3): 393–8. doi:10.5114/aoms.2010.14262. PMID22371777. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
↑Coppola, C.; Maffulli, N. (1999). "Limb shortening for the management of leg length discrepancy". J R Coll Surg Edinb. 44 (1): 46–54. PMID10079669. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
↑FERNANDEZDE VALDERRAMA, . (1963). "THE OBSERVATION HIP SYNDROME AND ITS LATE SEQUELAE". J Bone Joint Surg Br. 45: 462–70. PMID14065262. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)