Patient supine with legs extended and arms relaxed. Legs should be in the same degree of abduction/adduction and internal/external rotation for reliability.
For True Leg Length, the measurement is from the ASIS to the distal medial malleolus on the same side. A difference of 1.0-1.5 cm is considered normal, but can still be a cause of symptoms.
For Apparent Leg Length, the measurement is from the umbilicus to the medial malleolus on both sides. This test is performed after true leg length discrepancy is ruled out. Apparent leg length discrepancy may be due to a flexion or adduction deformity of the
hip joint, or a tilting of the pelvis.
Relevant Research
Shoe inserts appear to reduce chronic low back pain and functional disability in patients with leg length discrepancies of 10 mm or less: [ Ссылка ]
Shorter limbs sustain a greater proportion of load and loading rate: [ Ссылка ]
Leg length discrepancies affect body posture and dental occlusion: [ Ссылка ]
The short leg of diabetic patients with neuropathic foot ulcers will be subjected to greater pressure load: [ Ссылка ]
Discussion of leg length inequality as related to the development of stress fractures, low back pain and osteoarthritis: [ Ссылка ]
Clinicians should exercise caution when undertaking intervention strategies for limb length inequality of less than 5 mm: [ Ссылка ]
Shoe lifts may reduce chronic low back pain in patients with limb length inequality (6.4-22.2 mm): [ Ссылка ]
