A short leg can affect our posture and cause back pain, shoulder pain, or even neck pain.

When there is a difference in leg length, the pelvis cannot maintain a level position. The spine’s foundation is the pelvis and will bend or twist if there is a leg length discrepancy. Doctors of all disciplines realize the importance of leg length. Orthopedic surgeons especially as they consider a hip or knee replacement! There are many causes of leg length issues. These can include a genetic predisposition (inherited) or trauma during bone growth years.

Heel Lifts

Treating uneven legs leg can be as easy as adding a heel lift inside the shoe on the shorter leg. Unfortunately, there is not a 1 to 1 mm correction of the leg length deficiency with heel lifts. In adults, it reports that about a 66% correction occurs. This means a 10 mm lift would result in around a 6.6mm leg length deficiency correction. Many doctors have found that it is usually wise to GRADUALLY increase the amount of heel lifting. Patients often start with a 5mm lift and at one-week intervals. They increase it to the next height, such as 7mm, followed by 9mm, and so on. At 12mm (0.5”), problems with the heel lift can push out of the shoe and/or sliding forwards in the shoe. At this point, the bottom of the shoe can be
built up by a shoe cobbler.

Manipulation

If a short leg does not cause anatomical differences, it may come from muscle imbalances. This is called a ‘functional short leg’ because it acts as a short leg but it really isn’t. Functionally short legs are corrected through chiropractic joint manipulation or muscle work.

Chiropractors are trained to assess posture, and biomechanics, and to treat short legs through non-surgical means. If you are searching for back pain relief in North Dallas, Dr. Woodward is your guy. He has years of experience treating short leg-related back and neck pain. Call or stop by for an appointment today!