Apparent Leg Length Discrepancy

Whether the discrepancy is true or apparent the implications are the same.

Apparent leg length discrepancy. Definition Limb length discrepancy or anisomelia is defined as a condition in which the paired lower extremity limbs have a noticeably unequal length. Diagnosis is made with block testing and radiographic scanography. Although many of us assume our legs are the same length it is very common for people to have one leg that is longer than the other.

Naveed Ahmed Jumani Resident Orthopedic surgery LNH karachi 2. The apparent leg length can be measured from the umbilicus to the medial malleolus while the true leg length is measured from the anterior superior iliac spine to the medial malleolus 4. Leg Length Discrepancy LLD Leg Length Discrepancy is a common condition that may be caused by a congenital defect disruption of the physis or a paralytic disorder and presents with limb length asymmetry of varying magnitude.

Apparent shortening occurs when one leg appears to be shorter than the other but there is no loss of bone length and the apparent discrepancy is due to a defect in the pelvis or the spine. A clinical test used to identify differences in leg length. Limb length discrepancy LLD can be congenital or acquired.

Congenital With congenital cases a leg length discrepancy is apparent at birth. The examiner holds the patients feet to the. 12 LLD occurs when the paired lower extremities are unequal in length.

Apparent leg length discrepancy is measured from the xiphoid of the sternum to the tip of the medial malleolus using a tape measure compare with the other leg. True leg length discrepancy is measured using a tape measure from the anterior superior iliac spine to the tip of the medial malleolus. These conditions are usually present at birth but the leg length difference may be too small to be detected.

Sometimes the cause of leg length discrepancy is unknown particularly in cases involving underdevelopment of the inner or outer side of the leg or partial overgrowth of one side of the body. Apparent Leg Length Discrepancy Measurement. A leg length discrepancy LLD sounds alarming but people who have a discrepancy of 1cm may not even know their legs are differing lengths as often.