Anatomic and functional leg-length inequality: A review and recommendation for clinical decision-making. Part I, anatomic leg-length inequality: Prevalence, magnitude, effects and clinical significance

Chiropractic and Osteopathy

Volumn 13, Issue , 2005, Pages

  Knutson, Gary A ^a  

^a NONE   (United States)

Author keywords

Anatomic; Back pain; Chiropractic; Leg length inequality

Indexed keywords

ANATOMIC LEG LEGTH INEQUALITY; BONE RADIOGRAPHY; CINAHL; CONSENSUS DEVELOPMENT; DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY; DIAGNOSTIC VALUE; ELECTROMYOGRAPHY; EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE; FUNCTIONAL LEG LENGTH INEQUALITY; GENDER BIAS; HUMAN; LEG LENGTH INEQUALITY; MEDICAL DECISION MAKING; MEDLINE; ONLINE SYSTEM; PREVALENCE; PRIORITY JOURNAL; RELIABILITY; REVIEW;

EID: 33751557587     PISSN: 17461340     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1186/1746-1340-13-11     Document Type: Review

References (60)

1. Mannello DM: Leg Length Inequality. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1992, 15(9):576-590.
2. Gurney B: Leg length discrepancy. Gait Posture 2002, 15:195-206.
3. Cooperstein R, Lisi A: Pelvic torsion: anatomic considerations, construct validity, and chiropractic examination procedures. Top Clin Chiro 2000, 7(3):38-49.
4. Gofton JP, Trueman GE: Studies in osteoarthritis of the hip: Part II. Osteoarthritis of the hip and leg-length disparity. CMA Journal 1971, 104:791-799.
5. Clarke GR: Unequal leg length: an accurate method of detection and some clinical results. Rheum Phys Med 1972, 11:385-390.
6. Fisk JW, Baigent ML: Clinical and radiological assessment of leg length. NZ Med J 1975:477-480.
7. Friberg O: Clinical symptoms and biomechanics of lumbar spine and hip joint in leg length inequality. Spine 1983, 8(6):643-651.
8. Cleveland RH, Kushner DC, Ogden MC, Herman TE, Kermond W, Correia JA: Determination of leg length discrepance. A comparison of weight-bearing and supine imaging. Invest Radiol 1988, 23(4):301-4.
9. Hoikka V, Ylikoski M, Tallroth K: Leg-length inequality has poor correlation with lumbar scoliosis. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 1989, 108:173-75.
10. Gross RH: Leg length discrepancy in marathon runners. Am J Sports Med 1983, 11(3):121-124.
11. Venn EK, Wakefield KA, Thompson PR: A comparative study of leg-length checks. Eur J Chiropractic 1983, 31:68-80.
12. Beattie P, Isaacson K, Riddle DL, Rothstein JM: Validity of derived measurements of leg-length differences obtained by use of a tape measure. Phys Ther 1990, 70(3):150-7.
13. Soukka A, Alaranta H, Tallroth K, Heliovaara M: Leg-length inequality in people of working age. The association between mild inequality and low-back pain is questionable. Spine 1991, 16(4):429-431.
14. Rhodes DW, Mansfield ER, Bishop PA, Smith JF: The validity of the prone leg check as an estimate of standing leg length inequality measured by x-ray. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1995, 18(6):343-346.
15. Mincer AE, Cummings GS, Andrew PD, Rau JL: Effect of leg length discrepancy on trunk muscle fatigue and unintended trunk movement. J Phys Ther Sci 1997, 9(1):1-6.
16. Giles LGF, Taylor JR: Low-back pain associated with leg-length inequality. Spine 1981, 6(5):510-521.
17. Gross MT, Burns CB, Chapman SW, Hudson CJ, Curtis HS, Lehmann JR, Renner JB: Reliability and validity of rigid lift and pelvic leveling device method in assessing functional leg length inequality. JOSPT 1998, 27(4):285-294.
18. Juhl JH, Cremin TM, Russell G: Prevalence of frontal plane pelvic postural asymmetry - part I. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2004, 104(10):411-21.
19. Lawrence D: Lateralization of weight in the presence of structural short leg: a preliminary report. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1984, 7(2):105-108.
20. Korpelainen R, Orava S, Karpakka J, Siira P, Hulkko A: Risk factors for recurrent stress fractures in athletes. Am J Sports Med 2001, 29(3):304-10.
21. Guichet J-M, Spivak JM, Trouilloud P, Grammont PM: Lower limb-length discrepancy. An epidemiological study. Clin Orthop Rel Res 1991, 272:235-241.
22. Specht DL, De Boer KF: Anatomical leg length inequality, scoliosis and lordotic curve in unselected clinical patients. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1991, 14(6):368-375.
23. Cummings G, Scholz JP, Barnes K: The effect of imposed leg length difference on pelvic bone symmetry. Spine 1993, 18(3):368-373.
24. Walsh M, Connolly P, Jenkinson A, O'Brien T: Leg length discrepancy - an experimental study of compensatory changes in three dimensions using gait analysis. Gait Posture 2000, 12(2):156-61.
25. McCaw ST, Bates BT: Biomechanical implications of mild leg length inequality. Br J Sp Med 1991, 25(1):10-13.
26. Young RS, Andrew PD, Cummings GS: Effect of simulating leg length inequality on pelvic torsion and trunk mobility. Gait Posture 2000, 11(3):217-23.
27. Beaudoin L, Zabjek KF, Leroux MA, Coillard C, Rivard CH: Acute systematic and variable postural adaptations induced by an orthopaedic shoe lift in control subjects. Eur Spine J 1999, 8(1):40-45.
28. Travell JG, Simons DG: Chapter 4, Quadratus Lumborum Muscle. In Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction. The Trigger Point Manual. The Lower Extremities Volume 2. 2nd edition. Edited by: Williams & Wilkens: Baltimore; 1999:104.
29. Giles LGF: Lumbosacral facetal 'joint angles' associated with leg length inequality. Rheumatology and Rehabilitation 1981, 20:233-238.
30. Giles LGF, Taylor JR: Lumbar spine structural changes associated with leg length inequality. Spine 1982, 7(2):159-162.
31. Levangie PK: The association between static pelvic asymmetry and low back pain. Spine 1999, 24(12):1234-42.
32. Knutson G: Incidence of foot rotation, pelvic crest unleveling, and supine leg length alignment asymmetry, and their relationship to self-reported back pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2002, 24:e1.
33. Fann AV: The prevalence of postural asymmetry in people with and without chronic low back pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2002, 83(12):1736-8.
34. Andersson GB: Epidemiological features of chronic low-back pain. Lancet 1999, 354:581-85.
35. Bronfort G, Goldsmith CH, Nelson CF, Boline PD, Anderson AV: Trunk exercise combined with spinal manipulative or NSAID therapy for chronic low back pain: A randomized, observer-blinded clinical trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1996, 19(6):570-82.
36. Friberg O: Letter-to-the-editor. Spine 1992, 17(4):458-460.
37. Reid DC, Smith B: Leg length inequality: A review of etiology and management. Physiotherapy Canada 1984, 36(4):177-182.
38. Kujala UM, Friberg O, Aalto T, Kvist T, Osterman K: Lower limb asymmetry and patellofemoral joint incongruence in the etiology of knee exertion injuries in athletes. Int J Sports Med 1987, 8:214-20.
39. Kujala UM, Kvist M, Osterman K, Friberg O, Aalto T: Factors predisposing army conscripts to knee exertion injuries incurred in a physical training program. Clin Orthop Rel Res 1986, 210:203-12.
40. Subotnick SI: Limb length discrepancies of the lower extremity (The short leg syndrome). JOSPT 1981, 3(1):11-16.
41. Gibson PH, Papaioannou T, Kenwright J: The influence on the spine of leg-length discrepancy after femoral fracture. J Bone Joint Surg (Br) 1983, 65(5):584-7.
42. Edeen J, Sharkey PF, Alexander AH: Clinical significance of leg-length inequality after total hip arthroplasty. Am J Orthop 1995, 24(4):347-351.
43. White TO, Dougall TW: Arthroplasty of the hip. Leg length is not important. J Bone Joint Surg (Br) 2002, 84-B:335-8.
44. Paravizi J, Sharkey PF, Bissett GA, Rothman RH, Hozack WJ: Surgical treatment of limb-length discrepancy following total hip arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg 2003, 85-A(12):2310-17.
45. Yrjönen T, Hoikka V, Poussa M, Österman K: Leg-length inequality and low-back pain after Perthes' disease: A 28-47-year follow-up of 96 patients. J Spinal Disord 1992, 5(4):443-447.
46. Papaioannou T, Stokes I, Kenwright J: Scoliosis associated with limb-length inequality. J Bone Joint Surg 1982, 64-A(1):59-62.
47. Friberg O: Leg length asymmetry in stress fractures. J Sports Med 1982, 22:485-488.
48. Korpelainen R, Orava S, Karpakka J, Siira P, Hulkko A: Risk factors for recurrent stress fractures in athletes. Am J Sports Med 2001, 29(3):304-10.
49. Yen ST, Andrew PD, Cummings GS: Short-term effect of correcting leg length discrepancy on performance of a forceful body extension task in young adults. Hiroshima J Med Sci 1998, 47(4):139-43.
50. Murrell P, Cornwall MW, Doucet SK: Leg-length discrepancy: effect on the amplitude of postural sway. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1991, 72(9):646-8.
51. Goel A, Loudon J, Nazare A, Rondinelli R, Hassanein K: Joint moments in minor limb length discrepancy: A pilot study. Am J Orthop 1997, 26:852-6.
52. Brand RA, Yack JH: Effects of leg length discrepancies on the forces at the hip joint. Clin Ortho Rel Res 1996, 333:172-180.
53. Perttunen JR, Anttila E, Socergard J, Merikanto J, Komi PV: Gait asymmetry in patients with limb length discrepancy. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2004, 14(1):49-56.
54. Kaufman KR, Miller LS, Sutherland DH: Gait asymmetry in patients with limb-length inequality. J Ped Orthop 1996, 16:144-150.
55. White SC, Gilchrist LA, Wilk BE: Asymmetric limb loading with true or simulated leg-length differences. Clin Orthop 2004, 421:287-292.
56. Gurney B, Mermier C, Robergs R, Gibson A, Rivero D: Effects of Limb-Length Discrepancy on Gait Economy and Lower-Extremity Muscle Activity in Older Adults. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2001, 83:907-915.
57. Triano JJ: Objective electromyographic evidence for the use and effects of lift therapy. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1983, 6:13-16.
58. Gofton JP: Persistent low back pain and leg length disparity. J Rheumatol 1985, 12(4):747-750.
59. Moseley CF: Leg length discrepancy and angular deformity of the lower limbs. In Lovell and Winter's Pediatric Orthopaedics 4th edition. Philadelphia: Lippencott-Raven; 1996:877.
60. Kakushima M, Miyamoto K, Shimizu K: The effect of leg length discrepancy on spinal motion during gait. Spine 2003, 28(21):2472-6.