Short leg (leg-length difference)
One leg a little shorter than the other is common. For some people it never matters. For others it shows up as a lower back, hip or knee that keeps complaining on one side.
Chiropractic care may help you manage the back and hip pain that comes with a leg-length difference, once we have measured it properly.
What it is
A true (anatomical) short leg means one thigh bone or shin bone is actually shorter. A functional short leg looks the same when you lie down but comes from the pelvis sitting unevenly, usually because of stiff joints or tight muscles on one side. The two need different approaches, so telling them apart is the point of the assessment.
Either kind can load the pelvis, lower back, hips and knees unevenly, which is where the pain tends to show up.
What we assess
- Your history, including childhood injuries, fractures and surgery.
- Standing and lying assessment of pelvic level, leg length and how the lower back and hips move.
- Where a true difference is suspected, a standing X-ray measurement if clinically indicated: it is the only way to put a reliable number on it.
Your initial consultation is $49 and includes the examination, on-site X-rays if clinically indicated, an adjustment if clinically indicated, and the planning session where we go through what we found. What to expect →
What care looks like
Functional difference: adjustments and hands-on work for the pelvis and lower back, with at-home work to even up the muscles.
True difference: we discuss whether a measured heel lift is appropriate for you, alongside care for the joints that have been compensating. If one is used, it is sized from the measurement, not guessed.
A plan with a number of visits, reviewed as you go. Like all treatments, chiropractic care can have side effects; the common ones are mild and short-lived, such as soreness after an adjustment. We discuss this with you before care starts.
When to see your GP first
Some symptoms need a doctor before anyone else. See your GP, or emergency care, if you have:
- A leg-length difference that appears suddenly, or after a fracture or hip surgery.
- A child with an obvious difference, a limp, or hip or knee pain.
If you are unsure, call us and ask. We would rather send you to the right person than have you guess.
Questions
Do shoe lifts actually work?
It depends on what kind of difference you have, and that needs measuring. For a true difference a heel lift is one of the options we discuss, sized from the measurement. For a functional difference a lift addresses the wrong thing, and an off-the-shelf lift of the wrong height can bring new knee or hip complaints. Measure first, then decide.
How much difference matters?
Small differences are normal and most people never notice them. Whether yours matters depends on your symptoms and what the assessment shows, not on the number alone.
Related: Lower back pain · Posture · All conditions
Ready when you are.
Your initial consultation is $49 and includes the examination, on-site X-rays if clinically indicated, an adjustment if clinically indicated, and the planning session where we go through what we found.