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The Short Leg Syndrome: An Overlooked Source of Low Back Pain Written and Researched by Ronald J. Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O.
The
short leg syndrome is a commonly unrecognized
condition that contributes greatly to the development of chronic back and
leg pain. It is not uncommon for a discrepancy
of only 0.5 cm, if uncorrected, to set off a chain reaction of
muscle and joint dysfunction leading to low back pain Due to the need to maintain the head and shoulders balance over the feet, a leg length discrepancy imposes a strain on the musculature. The result is the pelvis often tilts down on the same side. Unilateral or bilateral sacroiliac joint pain and tenderness is frequently found in these patients.
Spinal X-rays can help document and quantify the degree of leg shortness, as well as degenerative changes of the axial skeleton. Although some physicians still utilize the old method measuring the short leg with a tape measure, the current research clearly documents the superiority of radiograph analysis over the tape assessment. The short-leg syndrome has been an enemy to both runners and doctors for many years. Because of the increase in poundage and stress on the body and legs during running, the symptoms will be more pronounced in a runner than a non-runner. What symptoms should make a person think of short-leg syndrome? First, any symptom that is exaggerated by running, such as low back pain, hip, knee, ankle or foot pain. A tendency to pull repeatedly the same muscle even though you have given it sufficient time to heal is a symptom commonly seen.. Also, shin splints and sciatic neuralgia (inflammation of the sciatic nerve that produces pain in the buttocks and down the back of the leg) are very common symptoms. After it has been determined that a short leg is indeed evident, a correction can be considered. With an anatomical shortness, correction is made simply by placing a heel left in the shoe of the short leg. The lift can either be inserted in the shoe itself or constructed onto the inside shoe. Some patients may require a more aggressive approach and be fitted for a custom orthotic. © 2005
Ronald J. Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O Ronald J. Grisanti, D.C.,
D.A.B.C.O |