Leg length inequality is everywhere.
Leg length inequality has an effect on joints in
the spine, hip and knee. Knee,
hip and back pain may follow. The Eugene
chiropractic examination at Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic incorporates a test
for leg length inequality and, depending on
the discrepancy, the Eugene chiropractic treatment
plan will correct it with a heel lift to potentially
avoid problems 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 more
than 1 cm! Only 10% of us has precisely equal leg lengths. Just
10%! Leg length inequality equalizes us all.
- Hip and knee problems
appear in more patients who have leg length differences
over 5 mm.
- Hip issues typically occur in the long leg side. Knee conditions
have a tendency to be more typical in
either leg – shorter or longer.
- Low back pain conditions appear
more commonly on the short leg side.
Researchers recently reviewed many
published articleswritten on leg length inequality and report that the bulk
of papers find differences of more than 2 cm are a problem while variations
of just 5 mm can preempt long-term issues.
(1) With these facts
in mind, Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic 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 will want to take note of this. In
people with 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 wear
on 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.
Eugene CHIROPRACTIC CARE OF SHORT LEG
Chiropractors like yours at Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic know short legs affect knees, backs and hips. We were trained in
chiropractic school to notice key 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 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 half 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 find and
correct short leg syndrome. Using
“pelvic leveling,” your Eugene 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 Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic see more than the general percent
of persons with short leg because it causes spine pain. Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic sees and
helps lots of spine pain! Consequently,
by correcting short leg difference in younger years of life, we can prevent
degenerative conditions of the spine and extremities that cause pain and
disability in middle age and beyond.
CONTACT Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic
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 Eugene
chiropractic appointment. Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic will welcome you as a
member of the 90%-of-people-have-a-short leg group…or not! Rely
on Rethwill Chiropractic Clinic to help you with all your spine issues!