Why Do Differences in Leg Length Matter to Your Chiropractor?

It’s true that humans are generally symmetrical. We’re designed that way–most people have two eyes, two arms and two legs. However, taking a closer look at the human body can reveal small discrepancies in the two sides, such as having one leg that is longer than the other. Chiropractors often perform leg checks in order to detect this condition. But why does it matter?

Many health professionals agree that up to 3/5 inch of leg length discrepancy (LLD) is normal and doesn’t usually cause problems. Additionally, most professionals agree that mild to modest discrepancies do not need to be corrected if the leg is otherwise functioning normally and isn’t causing the patient pain. However, larger differences in leg length may negatively impact a person’s health and well-being without treatment.

Differences in leg length can be either structural or functional.  A structural short leg occurs due to anatomical differences, usually related to bones or cartilage. For instance, someone with a structural LLD may have a shortened tibia or femur, malformed hip or a combination of these two factors. These conditions can be present from birth or can be caused by injuries or diseases that impaired the growth of the tissue occurred during childhood.

A functional leg length difference happens when the soft tissues surrounding an affected joint holds the limb out of its proper alignment. Commonly, misalignment and tight muscles in the lower back or hips can cause the leg to pull higher and causing the leg to appear shorter or longer depending on its position (sitting, lying, standing, etc.).

While there is little a chiropractor can do to correct a significant structural LLD, the patient can wear a heel lift to avoid unhealthy stress in the ankles, knees, hips and back that can lead to pain and reduced function down the road. If your pain and soreness is coming from a functional LLD on the other hand, your chiropractor may be better able to help you locate the source of the issue and can create a care plan for making it better. Often things such as posture, movement patterns or muscle tightness can be treated with adjustments, massage and behavior changes (or a combination of these techniques.)

The truth is that perfect symmetry is very, very rare and most people do have some degree of LLD. By some estimates, as much as 70% of the population may have legs that are slightly different lengths. The good news is that most of the time LLD is functional in nature and doesn’t usually become problematic. If you are experiencing pain or notice changes in the way you’re walking or running, make an appointment with your chiropractor. Your chiropractor will examine your condition carefully and help you understand your treatment options so that you can feel better–and function better–as quickly as possible.