Leg Length Discrepancy and Back Pain: How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Do you notice one pant leg dragging more than the other, or a sore back after hours on your feet? You could be experiencing a leg length discrepancy (LLD), a surprisingly common difference in the length of your legs. Minor differences are perfectly normal, but when one leg is clearly shorter, the pelvis can drop toward that side and the spine curves to make up for it. Little by little, that unbalanced base can strain the joints, discs, and muscles of the low back.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS ABOUT LEG LENGTH DISCREPANCY
According to research, accurately measuring a leg length difference calls for care and consistency. Tipton, Sutherland, and Schwarzkopf (1) found that measurements from a routine pelvic X-ray differed significantly from true leg length, and encouraged assessing any existing discrepancy before hip replacement surgery. Kadhim, Kelly, and Sabharwal (2) found that three full-length standing X-ray methods produced comparable results, but recommended sticking with a single technique, particularly when the legs bow or angle. Where the difference comes from matters too. Tolk, Eastwood, and Hashemi-Nejad (3) linked leg length differences in Perthes' disease to the top portion of the thigh bone near the hip. Birch, Makarov, and Jo (4) reported that when one part of a child's leg is shortened, the healthy part of that same leg typically doesn't grow longer to even things out. You can trust your chiropractor to figure it all out for you!
HOW CHIROPRACTORS ADDRESS LEG LENGTH AND BACK PAIN
This is where your chiropractor can make a real difference. Chiropractic's biggest contribution is identifying the discrepancy and understanding how it alters spinal mechanics in ways that may cause pain. Your assessment may include checking pelvic level, posture, and gait, along with X-rays if necessary. Treatment can then include careful spinal adjustments, flexion-distraction to reduce pressure on aggravated joints and discs, specific exercises, and heel lifts when helpful. If a discrepancy requires orthopedic care, your chiropractic physician can certainly coordinate that referral.
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
When back pain seems to come from nowhere, the answer might be right under your feet. Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. William Owen on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the importance of communicating well with patients and healthcare colleagues about back pain sources like leg length issues and The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management. Then, book a visit with your chiropractic team at Apple Country Chiropractic to discover whether leg length is part of your back pain picture and how to bring your spine back into balance.
