Leg Length Inequality Is Checked at Johnson Chiropractic for its Effect on Back, Hip and Knee Pain

July 16, 2019

Leg length inequality is everywhere. A short leg has an effect on joints in the knee and hip and spine. Knee, hip and back pain may develop. The Richmond chiropractic examination at Johnson Chiropractic includes an analysis of leg length inequality and, subject to the difference, the Richmond chiropractic treatment plan will correct it with a heel lift to potentially avoid problems 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 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 emerge in more patients who have leg length differences over 5 mm.
  • Hip issues usually occur in the long leg side. Knee conditions tend 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 majority of papers find differences of greater than 2 cm are a problem while differences of just 5 mm can lead to long-term issues. (1) With these facts in mind, Johnson Chiropractic finds it important 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 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.

Richmond CHIROPRACTIC CARE OF SHORT LEG

Chiropractors like yours at Johnson Chiropractic understand how short legs affect knees, backs and hips. We were trained in chiropractic school to note important issues like leg length inequality and address them. Chiropractors notice that correction of leg length difference of 5 mm or more is positive. The goal is to have no more than a 3 mm difference in leg length, 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 half 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 Richmond 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. Remember, chiropractors like yours at Johnson Chiropractic see more than the general percent of persons with short leg because it causes spine pain. Johnson Chiropractic sees and helps lots 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 age and beyond.

CONTACT Johnson 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 Richmond chiropractic appointment. Johnson Chiropractic will welcome you as a member of the 90%-of-people-have-a-short leg group…or not! Rely on Johnson Chiropractic to help you with all your spine issues!

 
Johnson Chiropractic checks for leg length inequality as it is related to back, hip and knee pain issues.