Leg length inequality is rampant.
Leg length inequality affects joints in
the knee and hip and spine. Knee,
hip and back pain may result. The Vancouver
chiropractic examination at Vancouver Disc Centers includes an analysis of leg length inequality and, depending on
the difference, the Vancouver chiropractic treatment
plan will correct it with a heel lift to potentially
prevent issues like hip joint
arthritic degeneration, knee and back pain.
SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT INCIDENCE OF SHORT LEG
No one talks about having a
shorter leg than the other. It is not a typical
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
crop up in more patients who have leg length differences
over 5 mm.
- Hip issues typically occur in the long leg side. Knee problems
are more apt to be more typical in
either leg – shorter or longer.
- Low back pain conditions appear
more commonly on the short leg side.
Researchers recently reviewed many
published articleswritten on leg length inequality and found that the bulk
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)
With these facts
in mind, Vancouver Disc Centers 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. Why does this matter? These forces affect the hip joint the most as the leg length difference increases. (2) The
older of us will want to stop further irritation, and the younger
of us will want to prevent long-term exposure to irritation and
future joint degeneration. A short leg affects our joints.
Vancouver CHIROPRACTIC CARE OF SHORT LEG
Chiropractors like yours at Vancouver Disc Centers know short legs affect knees, backs and hips. We were trained in
chiropractic school to notice important issues like leg
length inequality and deal with them. Chiropractors notice
that correction of leg length difference of 5 mm or more is positive.
The aim is to have no more than a 3 mm difference in leg length, and heel lifts are used to correct
up to 9 mm difference while a 10 mm or more needs a
shoe build-up of the full difference under the heel and 50% 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 Vancouver 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 made. Remember,
chiropractors like yours at Vancouver Disc Centers see more than the general percent
of persons with short leg because it causes spine pain. Vancouver Disc Centers sees and
treats lots of spine pain! Therefore,
by correcting short leg difference in younger years of life, we can prevent
degenerative conditions of the spine and extremities that cause pain and
disability in middle age and beyond.
CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers
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 Vancouver
chiropractic appointment. Vancouver Disc Centers will welcome you into the fold of the 90%-of-people-have-a-short leg group…or not! Rely
on Vancouver Disc Centers to help you with all your spine issues!