One of the most commony anatomical (body) issues that individuals can experience is leg length discrepancy. In the United States, around 60-90% of the population has uneven leg lengths and many aren't aware their leg lengths are not equal until they start feeling minor pains in the lower back and hip areas. While this condition is by no means dangerous, as time goes on it can be a bit frustrating and depending on the uneveness, painful.
To start, uneven leg length falls in to 2 separate categories. anatomical and functional.
Anatomical: This is a leg discrepancy that is an actual difference in bone length between the femur, patella, tibia and fibula. This difference usually occurs because of congenital problems or irregularities during the adolescent years. Surgery and injury can also be the cause.
Functional: This is usually a result of prolonged muscle tightness and poor posture. This is the primary form of uneven leg length that affects the majority of people. The problem involves the pelvis and femoral head where the bones have risen or lowered to a point that is unequal with the other side. Referred to as lateral pelvic tilt.
While it may sound like a serious problem, a majority of people unknowingly live with this condition. But after a prolonged period of time with the issue, a discrepancy of 10 millimeters or more are 5x as likely to need a knee or hip replacement later in life.
Symptoms and Causes of Uneven Legs
Since it is a wide ranging discrepancy, it is easy to brush aside warning signs of lateral pelvic tilt as the "wear and tear" of daily life. You must remember though, the body is not designed to live with chronic pain as we age, we can trace back symptoms for lateral pelvic tilt to:
Poor Posture
Problems Walking
Balance Issues
Low Back Pain
Hip Pain
Knee Pain
Sciatica
Causes for Lateral Pelvic Tilt
Lateral pelvic tilt usually results in posture imbalance, spinal misalignment, fatigue and muscle tightness. Weight can be improperly distributed throughout the body causing joints to move out of proper placement. Light or weak muscles can cause sections of your body to pull or relax in ways that create unhealthy strains.
How a Chiropractor Treats Uneven Leg Length
Dr. Blakely has been able to help both anatomical and functional leg discrepancy patients. The healing process starts with a structural exam to determine where the misalignment is stemming from. Depending upon the cause, various spinal manipulations may be performed to readjust joints to their proper positions. In an effort to reduce pressure on the hips, massage and specific exercises might be a part of the treatment plan.
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