Leg length inequality is widespread.
Leg length inequality has an effect on joints in
the hip, knee and spine. Knee,
hip and back pain may follow. The Baton Rouge
chiropractic examination at Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation incorporates a test
for leg length inequality and, depending on
the discrepancy, the Baton Rouge chiropractic treatment
plan will address it with a heel lift to potentially
avoid conditions like hip joint
arthritic degeneration, knee and back pain.
SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT INCIDENCE OF SHORT LEG
No one shares that he or she has one
shorter leg than the other. It is not a usual
conversation starter! But 90% of us has an inequality of more
than 1 cm! Only 10% of us has exactly equal leg lengths. Just
10%! Leg length inequality equalizes us all.
- Hip and knee problems
appear in more patients who have leg length differences
over 5 mm.
- Hip issues usually occur in the long leg side. Knee problems
tend to be more common in
either leg – shorter or longer.
- Low back issues appear
more commonly on the short leg side.
Authors of the newest review of many
papers written on leg length inequality report that the majority
of papers find differences of more than 2 cm are a problem while differences
of just 5 mm can lead to long-term issues.
(1) Considering these facts, Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation finds it valuable
to address leg length discrepancies to avoid painful issues as much as possible.
PREVENTION OF HIP JOINT ARTHRITIC DEGENERATION
Want to prevent hip joint arthritic degeneration?
Young and old alike do. Those who have a short leg, the contact forces in the joints in the short leg were
increased as the leg length difference increased. The greater the difference, the greater the contact forces in the
short leg. What does this mean? These forces wear
on the hip joint the most as the leg length difference increases. (2) The
older of us will want to prevent further irritation, and the younger
of us will want to stop long-term exposure to irritation and
future joint degeneration. A short leg bothers our joints.
Baton Rouge CHIROPRACTIC CARE OF SHORT LEG
Chiropractors like yours at Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation understand
how short legs affect knees, backs and hips. We were trained in
chiropractic school to note important issues like leg
length inequality and address them. Chiropractors realize
that correction of leg length difference of 5 mm or more is positive.
The aim is to have no more than 3
mm of leg length difference, and heel lifts are used to correct
up to 9 mm difference, but a 10 mm or more requires a
shoe build-up of the full difference under the heel and half the
difference under the sole. (1) Chiropractic has always taught in its education to
diagnose and correct short leg differences. It’s important that
to know that an xray Is not required to find and
correct short leg syndrome. Using
“pelvic leveling,” your Baton Rouge chiropractor can do it for
you. Get this important anatomical
factor for good spinal and general health measured by your
chiropractor so proper correction can be attained. Keep in mind,
chiropractors like yours at Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation see more than the general percent
of persons with short leg because it causes spine pain. Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation sees and
helps lots of spine pain! Consequently,
by correcting short leg difference in younger years of life, we can avert
degenerative conditions of the spine and extremities that cause pain and
disability in middle and older years of life.
CONTACT Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation
Check out podcasts of patient cases
and conditions on The Back Doctors
Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson to hear how effectively Cox® Technic addresses
back pain and brings relief for a multitude of spine-related pain conditions.
Schedule your Baton Rouge
chiropractic appointment. Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation will welcome you into the fold of the 90%-of-people-have-a-short leg crowd…or not! Count
on Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation to help you with all your spine issues!