Leg length inequality is widespread.
A short leg affects joints in
the knee and hip and spine. Knee,
hip and back pain may follow. The Paramus
chiropractic examination at Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center incorporates a test
for leg length inequality and, depending on
the difference, the Paramus chiropractic treatment
plan will correct it with a heel lift to help
avert 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’s 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 issues
appear in more patients who have leg length differences
over 5 mm.
- Hip issues usually occur in the long leg side. Knee problems
are more apt to be more common in
either leg – shorter or longer.
- Low back issues happen
more commonly on the short leg side.
Researchers recently reviewed many
published articleswritten on leg length inequality and report that the bulk
of papers find differences of greater than 2 cm are a problem while differences
of just 5 mm can preempt long-term issues.
(1) With these facts
in mind, Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center finds it valuable
to address leg length discrepancies to avoid painful issues as much as possible.
PREVENTION OF HIP JOINT ARTHRITIC DEGENERATION
Want to ward off 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 rose as the leg length difference
rose. The greater the difference, the greater the contact forces in the
short leg. What does this mean? 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 bothers our joints.
Paramus CHIROPRACTIC CARE OF SHORT LEG
Chiropractors like yours at Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center know short legs affect knees, backs and hips. We were trained in
chiropractic school to note 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 3
mm of leg length difference, and heel lifts are used to correct
up to 9 mm difference, but 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 is important that
to know that an xray Is not required to find and
correct short leg syndrome. We can do it by “pelvic leveling,” a technique your Paramus 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. Keep in mind,
chiropractors like yours at Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center see more than the general percent
of persons with short leg because it causes spine pain. Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center sees and
treats a great deal 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 age and beyond.
CONTACT Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center
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 Paramus
chiropractic appointment. Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center will welcome you into the fold of the 90%-of-people-have-a-short leg group…or not! Count
on Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center to help you with all your spine issues!