What is Leg Length Discrepancy?
Leg length discrepancy, also known as anisomelia, is a limb length condition that occurs when one leg is shorter than the other. This can either be from a congenital condition or from an acquired condition, such as an injury or medical issue. The discrepancy can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Unsurprisingly, leg length discrepancy can pose significant challenges to everyday life, with individuals often suffering adverse effects on posture, gait, comfort, and coordination.Â
There are both natural and surgical treatments for this condition, but natural treatments are often the preferred choice as they are generally safer and more cost-effective than surgical interventions.
Signs and Symptoms of Leg Length DiscrepancyÂ
Leg length discrepancy is usually detected by precisely measuring the length of the lower extremities. Unfortunately, unless a discrepancy is readily apparent, the condition can go undetected for months or years. To ensure early detection, look out for limping in one leg, pain in the legs, hips, back, and feet, difficulty performing physical activity, back pain, abnormal gait, and muscle weakness and/or tightness in the lower back and core.Â
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Leg Length Discrepancy
The upper cervical spine is often overlooked when considering cases of leg length discrepancy. However, a misalignment in the upper cervical spine can trigger leg length discrepancy if left untreated.Â
When a misalignment in the upper cervical spine occurs, the impacted vertebrae often push into the musculoskeletal structures of the neck. This constant pressure causes the muscles in the neck to become taut and tense. Over time, misalignment-induced tension in the neck and upper back can have a cascade effect throughout the rest of the body. Other muscles in the lower back will tighten to compensate for the chronic tension in the neck and, in turn, the muscles surrounding the hip will begin to contract. In many cases, prolonged muscle contraction around the hip has been linked to abnormal positioning of the hip bone, potentially resulting in conditions like leg length discrepancy.Â
How Our Natural Leg Length Discrepancy Treatment Works
The Blair Chiropractic Technique is a progressive form of upper cervical chiropractic care that focuses on realigning the upper cervical spine in order to restore the spinal column and treat conditions like leg length discrepancy. By addressing the root cause of your condition, the Blair Chiropractic technique can restore the spinal column to its natural position, relieving the pressure off the surrounding muscles and allowing them to relax. With the muscles relaxed, the hip can be returned to its natural state and leg length discrepancy corrected.
The Blair Chiropractic Technique places emphasis on non-invasive and pain-free diagnostic imaging to determine the exact location of any misalignments in the upper cervical spine that may be contributing to your leg length discrepancy. During your initial consultation with a Blair Chiropractic specialist, your practitioner will perform a series of advanced diagnostic tests, such as cone-beam computed tomography scans or X-rays, to create a three-dimensional model of your spine. Diagnostic imaging takes the guess work out of your diagnosis and allows treatment to be more precise.Â
If your practitioner finds an upper cervical misalignment, they will perform a number of low-force Blair certified adjustments to your upper cervical spine. These adjustments will coax the affected vertebrae back to their natural alignment, reducing pain and alleviating the severity of your leg length discrepancy. Unlike traditional chiropractic techniques, Blair practitioners will never use adjustments involving harsh manipulation, pulling, or cracking of the spine.
