Leg Length Inequality Is Checked at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries for its Effect on Back, Hip and Knee Pain

Leg length inequality is rampant. Leg length inequality affects joints in the knee and hip and spine. Knee, hip and back pain may follow. The Manchester chiropractic examination at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries incorporates a test for leg length inequality and, depending on the difference, the Manchester chiropractic treatment plan will address it with a heel lift to help avoid 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 issues crop up in more patients who have leg length differences over 5 mm.
  • Hip issues typically occur in the long leg side. Knee problems have a tendency to be more typical in either leg – shorter or longer.
  • Low back pain conditions happen more commonly on the short leg side.
Authors of the newest review of many papers written on leg length inequality  found that the majority 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, Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries 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 will want to take note of this. 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 bothers our joints.

Manchester CHIROPRACTIC CARE OF SHORT LEG

Chiropractors like yours at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries know short legs affect knees, backs and hips. We were trained in chiropractic school to note key issues like leg length inequality and address them. Chiropractors find that correction of leg length difference of 5 mm or more is beneficial. The goal is to have no more than 3 mm of leg length difference, and heel lifts are used to correct up to 9 mm difference while a 10 mm or more requires a shoe build-up of the full difference under the heel and 50% the difference under the sole. (1) Chiropractic education has always included the diagnosis and treatment of short leg differences. It is important that to know that an xray Is not required to establish and correct short leg syndrome. Using “pelvic leveling,” your Manchester chiropractor can do it for you.  Get this important anatomical factor for good spinal and general health checked by your chiropractor so proper correction can be attained. Keep in mind, chiropractors like yours at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries see more than the general percent of persons with short leg because it causes spine pain. Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries sees and helps lots 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 and older years of life.

CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries

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 Manchester chiropractic appointment. Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries will welcome you as a member of the 90%-of-people-have-a-short leg group…or not! Count on Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries to help you with all your spine issues!

 
Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries tests for leg length inequality as it is related to back, hip and knee pain issues. 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."