Leg length discrepancy: Difference between revisions
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{{SK}} Unequal leg length, leg length inequality, leg length alignment asymmetry | {{SK}} Unequal leg length, leg length inequality, leg length alignment asymmetry | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Leg length discrepancy is a medical condition where the [[leg]]s 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 defect]]s, [[fracture|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]].<ref>[http://www.chiroandosteo.com/content/13/1/12 Knutson, G. A. "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> | Leg length discrepancy is a medical condition where the [[leg]]s 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 defect]]s, [[fracture|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]].<ref>[http://www.chiroandosteo.com/content/13/1/12 Knutson, G. A. "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> | ||
Revision as of 18:02, 13 August 2013
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Vendhan Ramanujam M.B.B.S [2]
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
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]
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Life-threatening causes include conditions which result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
- Appendicitis
- Leriche syndrome
- Meningitis
- Osteomyelitis
- Pelvic abscess
- Psoas abscess
- Septic arthritis
- Testicular torsion
Common Causes
- Avascular necrosis of the hip
- Cerebral palsy
- Congenital dysplasia of the hip
- Discitis
- Femur fracture
- Hip contractures
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome
- Lumbar scoliosis
- Malignant bone tumors
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Osteomyelitis
- Salter-Harris fracture
- Septic arthritis
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
- Transient synovitis of the hip[3][4][5]
Causes by Organ System
Causes in Alphabetical Order
References
- ↑ Knutson, G. A. "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.
- ↑ Knutson, G. A."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.
- ↑ Gurney, B. (2002). "Leg length discrepancy". Gait Posture. 15 (2): 195–206. PMID 11869914. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ 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. PMID 22371777. 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. PMID 10079669. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Lee, DY.; Choi, IH.; Chung, CY.; Cho, TJ.; Lee, JC. (1997). "Fixed pelvic obliquity after poliomyelitis: classification and management". J Bone Joint Surg Br. 79 (2): 190–6. PMID 9119840. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ FERNANDEZDE VALDERRAMA, . (1963). "THE OBSERVATION HIP SYNDROME AND ITS LATE SEQUELAE". J Bone Joint Surg Br. 45: 462–70. PMID 14065262. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help)