Leg Length Discrepancy and Back Pain: How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Does your back ache after a long day of standing, or does one pant leg always drag at the hem? You may be dealing with a leg length discrepancy (LLD), a frequent difference in the length of your legs. Minor differences are expected, but when one leg is clearly shorter, the pelvis can tilt toward that side and the spine bends to compensate. Gradually, that uneven base can stress the joints, discs, and muscles of the lower back.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS ABOUT LEG LENGTH DISCREPANCY
Research shows that measuring a leg length difference takes care and consistency. Tipton, Sutherland, and Schwarzkopf (1) found that estimates from a routine pelvic X-ray were significantly different from actual leg length, and advised assessing any existing discrepancy before hip replacement surgery. Kadhim, Kelly, and Sabharwal (2) found that three full-length standing X-ray methods produced similar results, but suggested using one technique consistently, particularly when the legs bow or angle. Just as important is where the difference begins. 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) found that when one part of a child's leg is shorter, the healthy part of that same leg generally doesn't grow longer to make up the difference. You can trust your chiropractor to figure it all out for you!
YOUR CHIROPRACTOR'S ROLE IN RESTORING SPINAL BALANCE
That's where your chiropractor steps in. Chiropractic's biggest contribution is identifying the discrepancy and understanding how it alters spinal mechanics in ways that can cause pain. Your assessment can include reviewing pelvic level, posture, and gait, along with X-rays if necessary. Your care plan can then include precise spinal adjustments, flexion-distraction to ease pressure on aggravated joints and discs, targeted exercises, and heel lifts when helpful. If a discrepancy requires orthopedic input, your chiropractic physician can certainly coordinate that referral.
CONTACT Connected Chiropractic
If your back pain doesn't seem to have an obvious cause, the answer may be right beneath you. Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. William Owen on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the importance of communicating well with patients and healthcare colleagues about back pain causes like leg length issues and The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management. Then, set up a consultation with your chiropractor at Connected Chiropractic to find out whether leg length is part of your story and how to bring your spine back into balance.
