Nearly 1 in 3 people have a slight discrepancy in the length of their legs and often experience no symptoms. There are instances where leg length discrepancies are more pronounced, and this can have an impact, especially when you are growing. Learn more about leg length discrepancy symptoms and treatment.
What Causes Leg Length Discrepancy?
When children are born with a limb-length discrepancy, it does not usually manifest itself until the child crawls or walks.
The causes are numerous; common causes are:
- Bone disease
- Infections that disturb bone growth
- Neurological conditions
- Joint inflammation or juvenile arthritis
- Trauma/injury that interrupts bone growth
- A tumor
Treatment For Leg Length Discrepancy
There are a few options available for treating leg length discrepancies. Ultimately, treatment will depend on age, severity, and other factors.
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Wait and see: For children who have not yet reached maturity, simply watching and waiting until growth is complete is an option. It’s possible that the discrepancy will continue to be minor or resolve itself as the child grows.
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Orthotics: Your doctor may recommend an orthotic to see if it helps improve your child’s ability to walk/run. Insoles may provide additional benefits such as extra support, reduced back/joint pain caused by discrepancies, and the prevention of a host of other conditions.
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Shoe Modifications: For a discrepancy that is a bit more severe, a doctor may prescribe a build-up to the outside sole of a shoe to help even out the discrepancy. Measurements should be taken by a doctor and shoe modifications should be made to approved shoes by a certified Pedorthist.
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Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be required to correct the discrepancy.
How Insoles Help With Leg Length Discrepancy
Insoles can help ensure proper gait and alignment if your child has a leg length discrepancy in the following ways:
- Insoles can directly address leg length differences through strategic lift placement, helping to equalize leg lengths.
- Insoles help prevent the compensatory movements that often develop with leg length discrepancy. These compensations, like hip hiking or excessive pronation on one side, can lead to additional strain and discomfort.
- For people with functional leg length discrepancy (where the difference comes from muscle imbalances or joint restrictions rather than bone length), insoles can help provide temporary support while underlying issues are addressed through physical therapy or other treatments.
- Thanks to their shock absorption properties, insoles can even out impact between the legs and reduce stress on joints.
