Leg length inequality is prevalent.
A short leg has an effect on joints in
the spine, hip and knee. Knee,
hip and back pain may result. The West Des Moines
chiropractic examination at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa includes a test
for leg length inequality and, depending on
the discrepancy, the West Des Moines chiropractic treatment
plan will fix it with a heel lift to help
prevent issues like hip joint
arthritic degeneration, knee and back pain.
SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT INCIDENCE OF SHORT LEG
No one shares that he or she has one
shorter leg than the other. It’s not a usual
conversation starter! But 90% of us has an inequality of more
than 1 cm! Only 10% of us has exactly equal leg lengths. Just
10%! Leg length inequality equalizes us all.
- Hip and knee issues
crop up in more patients who have leg length differences
over 5 mm.
- Hip issues usually occur in the long leg side. Knee conditions
tend to be more typical 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 greater than 2 cm are a problem while differences
of just 5 mm can lead to long-term issues.
(1) Considering these facts, Executive Chiropractic of Iowa finds it valuable
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. Those who have a short leg, the contact forces in the joints in the short leg were
increased as the leg length difference increased. The greater the difference, the greater the contact forces in the
short leg. Why does this matter? These forces affect the hip joint the most as the leg length difference increases. (2) The
older of us will want to prevent further irritation, and the younger
of us will want to stop long-term exposure to irritation and
future joint degeneration. A short leg affects our joints.
West Des Moines CHIROPRACTIC CARE OF SHORT LEG
Chiropractors like yours at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa 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 find
that correction of leg length difference of 5 mm or more is beneficial.
The goal is to have no more than a 3 mm difference in leg length, and heel lifts can correct
up to 9 mm difference while a 10 mm or more requires a
shoe build-up of the full difference under the heel and 50% the
difference under the sole. (1) Chiropractic education has always included the
diagnosis and treatment of short leg differences. It is 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 West Des Moines 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 attained. Remember,
chiropractors like yours at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa see more than the general percent
of persons with short leg because it causes spine pain. Executive Chiropractic of Iowa sees and
helps a great deal of spine pain! Consequently,
by correcting short leg difference in younger years of life, we can avert
degenerative conditions of the spine and extremities that cause pain and
disability in middle age and beyond.
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
Check out podcasts of patient cases
and conditions on The Back Doctors
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Schedule your West Des Moines
chiropractic appointment. Executive Chiropractic of Iowa will welcome you into the fold of the 90%-of-people-have-a-short leg crowd…or not! Count
on Executive Chiropractic of Iowa to help you with all your spine issues!