When do you correct leg length discrepancy?
Surgical management is typically based on multi-stage procedures. If a leg length discrepancy of considerably more than 5 cm is expected, growing patients should already be informed about surgical treatment options when the existing difference in leg length has reached 5 cm.
Can leg length discrepancy be fixed?
If a child has stopped growing, orthopedists can sometimes correct a leg length discrepancy by shortening the longer leg. This is done by removing a piece of bone from the longer leg. Limb lengthening surgery also can be done.
How do you overcome leg length discrepancy?
Treatment for a discrepancy depends upon the severity. In many cases, a minor difference in leg length can be well tolerated or evened out by wearing a small lift in one shoe. A child with a more significant difference, however, may benefit from surgery to make their legs the same length.
What is an acceptable LLD?
Though Eden et al [22] concluded that even a small disparity may be a source of dissatisfaction in some patients; however, several studies have shown that up to 10 mm of LLD is well tolerated by most patients.
What is Epiphysiodesis surgery?
Epiphysiodesis is the surgical ablation of a physis to stop its future growth, generally used to correct a leg length discrepancy. Prediction of leg length discrepancy at skeletal maturity can be difficult and multiple methods have been developed to provide an estimate.
How do you treat one leg longer than the other?
What are the treatments for leg length discrepancy? Small leg length difference can be observed or treated with a shoe lift. Larger leg length differences may require surgery. Options for this include slowing down or stopping the growth of the longer leg or lengthening the shorter leg.
What is a significant leg length discrepancy?
Leg length discrepancies are very common. In fact, many of us have a small difference in our leg lengths. However, most people don’t notice the difference or require any treatment. When the difference measures more than 1.5 to 2.0 cm (5/8 of an inch), most physicians recommend having the discrepancy evaluated.
How do you fix short leg syndrome?
Doctors often “treat” structural SLS by placing a heel lift in the shoe of the shorter leg. A physical therapist determines the amount of lift required to restore the positioning of the spine and pelvis. For cases requiring surgical shortening or lengthening of a limb, the surgery must be followed by physical therapy.