Leg length inequality is everywhere.
A short leg affects joints in
the knee and hip and spine. Knee,
hip and back pain may result. The McHenry
chiropractic examination at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic incorporates an analysis of leg length inequality and, depending on
the discrepancy, the McHenry chiropractic treatment
plan will address it with a heel lift to help
prevent conditions like hip joint
arthritic degeneration, knee and back pain.
ASTOUNDING FACTS ABOUT INCIDENCE OF SHORT LEG
No one talks about having a
shorter leg than the other. It is not a usual
conversation starter! But 90% of us has an inequality of greater
than 1 cm! Only 10% of us has precisely equal leg lengths. Just
10%! Leg length inequality equalizes us all.
- Hip and knee problems
emerge in more patients who have leg length differences
over 5 mm.
- Hip issues usually occur in the long leg side. Knee conditions
have a tendency to be more typical in
either leg – shorter or longer.
- Low back issues appear
more commonly on the short leg side.
Authors of the newest review of many
papers written on leg length inequality found that the bulk
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) Considering these facts, OrthoIllinois Chiropractic finds it valuable
to address leg length discrepancies to avoid painful issues as much as possible.
PREVENTION OF HIP JOINT ARTHRITIC DEGENERATION
Want to prevent 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 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 stop long-term exposure to irritation and
future joint degeneration. A short leg bothers our joints.
McHenry CHIROPRACTIC CARE OF SHORT LEG
Chiropractors like yours at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic 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 realize
that correction of leg length difference of 5 mm or more is beneficial.
The aim is to have no more than a 3 mm difference in leg length, and heel lifts can 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’s important that
to know that an xray Is not required to determine and
correct short leg syndrome. We can do it by “pelvic leveling,” a technique your McHenry 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 attained. Remember,
chiropractors like yours at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic see more than the general percent
of persons with short leg because it causes spine pain. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic sees and
treats a great deal of spine pain! Therefore,
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 OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
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 McHenry
chiropractic appointment. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic will welcome you as a
member of the 90%-of-people-have-a-short leg group…or not! Count
on OrthoIllinois Chiropractic to help you with all your spine issues!