Short Leg Syndrome

The main characteristic of the short leg syndrome is the fact that the length of one lower limb is shorter than the second. This phenomenon is quite common. An interesting fact is that in most people (90% of the population) one leg can be less by one centimeter relative to the second. If the difference is greater, the patient can deform the pelvic bones, curl the spinal column, appear osteochondrosis, lameness and other orthopedic pathologies.

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Causes of the short leg syndrome

There are two main reasons for the appearance of short-leg syndrome:

• Anatomical - intraosseous changes occur in the pelvis or lower extremities, which lead to the fact that the length of one leg decreases or increases with respect to the second.
• Functional - a strong tension arises in the sacroiliac joints, which causes one side of the pelvis to be pulled up, which, in turn, raises one of the legs.

From the type and cause of development pathologists depends on ongoing treatment. So, with the anatomical form of the syndrome, the only way out is surgical or orthopedic intervention. With functional reasons for the development of the disease can help manual therapy.

Also to the reasons for the development of the syndrome of short legs are:

• Congenital (clubfoot, dislocated legs).
• Birth trauma, congenital hip dislocation, obtained during labor.
• Various inflammations (for example, tuberculosis).
• Paralysis.
• Benign and malignant tumors of the musculoskeletal system.
• Injuries in adults, including fractures or dislocations of the lower limb.
• Surgery on the thigh or knee.

[3], [4], [5], [6]

Pathogenesis

This disease "forces" to distribute the load on the intervertebral disks is not the same. This over time can lead to serious problems:

• Pathological curvature of the spine (scoliosis).
• The pelvis twists.
• V-th lumbar vertebra is unfolded.
• The cross-ilium joint on the opposite side is blocked.

[7]

Symptoms of the short leg syndrome

Many people do not even notice in themselves, their friends or children, that one leg is shorter than the second. Especially if their length differs by only a couple of centimeters. Find out if you suffer from a short leg syndrome can be quite simple. Put on your pants and stand up straight. If one trouser leg is shorter, then you are in 90% of all people suffering from this disease.

Also, while walking, one leg will constantly step on the end of the second leg. This pathology especially greatly complicates the development of children. If a child has one leg at least a little shorter than the second, this can cause severe pain in the lumbar region. In this case, painful sensations will be distributed along the entire leg, up to the knee joint.

Other symptoms may include:

• Pain in the knee.
• Sciatica.
• Discomfort in the process of walking and running.
• Pain in the feet and ankle.
• Fatigue.

Complications and consequences

The main danger of this disease is the fact that even some specialists do not have a proper understanding of it. Often doctors do not give the short-leg syndrome a meaning, and it greatly affects the correct development of children. Especially when one leg is shorter than the second by 6-7 centimeters.

Even small changes in the length of the legs lead to the fact that the child is disrupted the correct position of the bones in the pelvic region, the vertebral column is curved.

[8], [9], [10]

Diagnostics of the short leg syndrome

As already mentioned above, many doctors do not even diagnose "short leg syndrome" even with a strong difference. If you conducted an experiment with trousers (which was described a little higher) and noticed the changes, it is worthwhile immediately contacting the trauma traumatologist. To diagnose the syndrome in young children, you need to put them on your back and straighten your legs.

[11]

Differential diagnosis

Very often, when examining a child or an adult with a short-leg syndrome, an incorrect diagnosis is made-osteochondrosis or lumbago. If the diagnosis was incorrect, the treatment will help to get rid of only the pain that accompanies the patient, but not from their cause.

[12], [13], [14], [15]

Treatment of the short leg syndrome

For the treatment of functional short leg syndrome, soft manual therapy is usually used. Its main difference from traditional medicine is the fact that it is completely safe, effective and effective. Sometimes in one or two sessions a small difference in the length of the legs completely disappears. In the process of leg length correction, professional manual therapists do not exert too much influence, so this technique is suitable even for the treatment of babies.

The mild severity of the short-leg syndrome can be corrected with orthopedic footwear.

Foam resin or orthopedic shoe adjustments can be used in moderate discrepancies.

Operative treatment

If the short leg syndrome appeared due to anatomical reason, the only way out of the situation is surgical treatment. The surgery helps to extend the shorter leg surgically. This method of treatment is used only if there is too obvious a discrepancy between the lower extremities and the trunk.

Today, surgeons can extend the leg from the shin by 6 centimeters, and from the hip - by 10 centimeters. The operation begins with the dissection of the skin, tissues and bones in the leg. Parts of the bone that were separated are joined by means of special spokes, and then fixed from above by a special apparatus of Elizarov.

This is only the first step towards recovery. Next, an experienced doctor "pulls" fragments of bones in opposite directions for one millimeter each day. After the device is removed, the patient must undergo a serious rehabilitation (medical gymnastics and physiological procedures).

Structural difference of legs can be corrected with the help of surgical epiphysiodez. This treatment is aimed at correcting the skew of the pelvis, gait and postural aberration.

Forecast

Even if one leg of a patient is much shorter than the second, the prognosis is favorable. Thanks to modern methods of treatment (leg lengthening and manual therapy), even strong pathologies can easily be corrected.