Leg length inequality is everywhere.
Leg length inequality has an effect on joints in
the hip, knee and spine. Knee,
hip and back pain may develop. The Manahawkin
chiropractic examination at Manahawkin Chiropractic Center includes an analysis of leg length inequality and, subject to
the difference, the Manahawkin chiropractic treatment
plan will address it with a heel lift to help
avoid problems like hip joint
arthritic degeneration, knee and back pain.
SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT INCIDENCE OF SHORT LEG
No one talks about having a
shorter leg than the other. It is not a usual
conversation starter! But 90% of us has an inequality of greater
than 1 cm! Only 10% of us has exactly equal leg lengths. Just
10%! Leg length inequality equalizes us all.
- Hip and knee problems
emerge in more patients who have leg length differences
over 5 mm.
- Hip issues typically occur in the long leg side. Knee conditions
tend to be more common in
either leg – shorter or longer.
- Low back problems happen
more commonly on the short leg side.
Authors of the newest review of many
papers written on leg length inequality report that the majority
of papers find differences of more than 2 cm are a problem while differences
of just 5 mm can lead to long-term issues.
(1) With these facts
in mind, Manahawkin Chiropractic Center finds it important
to address leg length discrepancies to avoid painful issues as much as possible.
PREVENTION OF HIP JOINT ARTHRITIC DEGENERATION
Want to ward off hip joint arthritic degeneration?
Young and old alike will want to take note of this. In
people with a short leg, the contact forces in the joints in the short leg rose as the leg length difference
rose. The greater the difference, the greater the contact forces in the
short leg. What does this mean? These forces affect the hip joint the most as the leg length difference increases. (2) The
older of us will want to stop further irritation, and the younger
of us will want to prevent long-term exposure to irritation and
future joint degeneration. A short leg affects our joints.
Manahawkin CHIROPRACTIC CARE OF SHORT LEG
Chiropractors like yours at Manahawkin Chiropractic Center understand
how short legs affect knees, backs and hips. We were trained in
chiropractic school to note key issues like leg
length inequality and address them. Chiropractors realize
that correction of leg length difference of 5 mm or more is positive.
The aim is to have no more than a 3 mm difference in leg length, and heel lifts can correct
up to 9 mm difference, but a 10 mm or more needs a
shoe build-up of the full difference under the heel and 50% the
difference under the sole. (1) Chiropractic has always taught in its education to
diagnose and correct short leg differences. It’s important that
to know that an xray Is not required to determine and
correct short leg syndrome. We can do it by “pelvic leveling,” a technique your Manahawkin chiropractor can do it for
you. Get this important anatomical
factor for good spinal and general health measured by your
chiropractor so proper correction can be made. Keep in mind,
chiropractors like yours at Manahawkin Chiropractic Center see more than the general percent
of persons with short leg because it causes spine pain. Manahawkin Chiropractic Center sees and
helps lots of spine pain! Therefore,
by correcting short leg difference in younger years of life, we can prevent
degenerative conditions of the spine and extremities that cause pain and
disability in middle and older years of life.
CONTACT Manahawkin Chiropractic Center
Check out podcasts of patient cases
and conditions on The Back Doctors
Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson to hear how effectively Cox® Technic addresses
back pain and brings relief for a multitude of spine-related pain conditions.
Schedule your Manahawkin
chiropractic appointment. Manahawkin Chiropractic Center will welcome you as a
member of the 90%-of-people-have-a-short leg group…or not! Count
on Manahawkin Chiropractic Center to help you with all your spine issues!