What is Leg Length Discrepancy?

Anisomelia, more commonly known as leg length discrepancy, is a condition characterized by a person having one leg shorter than the other. There are a variety of causes for this condition, which can result in a great deal of pain and discomfort.

Leg length discrepancy is a common occurrence; most people have one leg slightly shorter than the other, though the difference is hard to notice. Even a minor unnoticed difference, however, can cause health problems. A lot of people living with back or leg pain don’t even realize it is due to a leg length discrepancy and suffer needlessly without seeking treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Leg Length Discrepancy

Generally, anyone with a discrepancy of a half centimeter or more is considered to have a leg length discrepancy. For some people, the difference can be much more pronounced. The condition can be due to several factors, such as genetics, fractures (especially in childhood when bones are still growing), or bone diseases.

People with leg length discrepancy experience aches and pains in the back, hips, knees, and ankles. They may have trouble standing or sitting for long periods. They may have a limp, their gait may be off, or they may toe-walk.

How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Leg Length Discrepancy

There are many different ways to treat leg length discrepancy, depending upon the severity and cause. Many people are surprised, however, to discover that the problem for their leg length discrepancy is not in their legs, but in the uppermost part of their spines.

The seven vertebrae that make up the top of the spinal cord, sitting just below the skull, have a vital role in all of the body’s musculoskeletal systems. If these vertebrae are misaligned, people tend to shift their body weight to compensate. Even a minor shift may cause a domino effect, putting undue stress on pressure points at other junctures. One side of the spine or pelvis can become tense, and there may be a discrepancy in muscle tone between the two sides. This could lead to one side of the pelvis being pulled upward, resulting in a leg length discrepancy.

How Our Leg Length Discrepancy Treatment Works

Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder uses the Blair Chiropractic Technique to help correct leg length discrepancies due to a misaligned spine. The Blair technique is a modern chiropractic method using a gentle but precise approach to correct misalignments so that the body can naturally return to its normal, healthy, and aligned state.

Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau specialize in the Blair Technique, which begins with pinpointing the exact location of problems. Using advanced 3D imaging technology, the doctor can diagnose the exact locations of any misalignments. The spine can then be more precisely realigned with light, quick, gentle movements. Our patients appreciate that our treatment is gentle and that we do not use the jolting twists and cracks associated with traditional chiropractic techniques.

Once the spine is properly aligned, the patient will begin to feel relief from leg length discrepancy. The body can then proceed to naturally correct itself and heal once it’s in its naturally aligned state.

Please call Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau if leg length discrepancy is getting in the way of your day-to-day life. Our areas of coverage are Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette, Broomfield, and Denver in Colorado.