Leg Length Difference

Leg length differences are probably present in everyone, however for most people the difference is probably so small it cannot be detected.  The significance of Leg length discrepancies is that at some level of difference there could be symptoms. The symptoms from a leg length difference are due to the compensations that happen. The compensations for a leg length discrepancy include a more flexed knee on the long side, a tilted pelvis and compensation in the spine. It used to be believed that foot pronation was also a compensation for leg length difference, but all the evidence is that this does not happen. The short side pronate more in just as many people as the long leg does. The main treatment for a leg length difference is to use a heel or full length shoe lift to make the short leg longer. Often in most cases of leg length difference, it is advisable to only treat half the difference first and go a full difference at a later date.