Scoliosis caused by a Leg Length Difference? Here is how to check

[@ozkanergicay8948]

As a PT, I am trying to learn the Schroth method from the internet and books. Hürriyet Yılmaz was my teacher at the university. It's an honor to see her article. It would be nice to see more schroth therapy methods which I could use with our patients.Thank you

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

I would recommend getting trained

[@JOHNTHEWHISK]

My narcissistic, negligent mother never took me to a doctor when i was a kid even though sometimes it looked like i was limping a bit, or walking a bit funny. Other kids would comment. Then when I was around 13 I was diagnosed with scoliosis, a 35 degree curve in my spine, and I had to wear a brace for three years, and it ruined me. I am now in my 50's and the effects of having had to wear that brace and being stigmatised at school, and bullied, have forever scarred me. GET YOUR KID CHECKED IF THEY SEEM TO BE LIMPING A BIT. Makes me so angry that this could have been avoided had my mom done her effing job as a parent.

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

It is actually pretty challenging for parents to pick this up on their kids without knowing what to look for. I am sorry you didn't figure it out earlier though. Bracing during that time in life is really rough and we try to work with our patients on ways to cope with it if they have to be in one. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@Gabriel-gv1mx]

Thank you, very helpful. I live in Australia. Can I purchase a scoliometer, or is it best to visit a doctor? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

I would recommend seeing a specialist but you could purchase one.

[@wilb6756]

"Correlation Analysis between Leg-length Discrepancy and Lumbar Scoliosis Using Full-length Standing Radiographs" (ncbi) at 20mm LLD it might contribute to +10° of scoliosis. Now I got a scientific confirmation why two x rays, one done with and one done without a wedge under the shorter leg might result in a different cobb angle of the lumbar spine.

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[@education7281]

what if there is a leg length discrepancy due to one side of the hip being elevated higher than the other due to a present lumbar or thoracic scoliosis that is visible on an xray? Does one need to correct the leg length discrepancy at all if it is a compensatory component of a major curve that is possibly helping the patient's trunk be in line with the pelvis and the head? I personally have one calf on the convex side of my curve bigger than the other calf, do I do unilateral exercise on the smaller calf to help catch up with the side with the bigger calf? Secondly, since you are basing your findings from a scoliometer, there is trouble in knowing if a leg length discrepancy is present in a patient WITH a lumbar scoliosis with rotation. You wouldn't know whether the positive scoliometer finding is based on an existing lumbar hump from a scoliosis curve or if one of the patient's leg is truly longer than the other or BOTH. How does one then measure for possible leg length discrepancy and address this imbalance using heel lifts while at the same time ensure you are NOT compromising the other scoliosis curves present in the body while overcorrecting the lumbar curve present?

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

Just showing simple methods. Thanks for the question

[@EmiliaLanders]

@@AlignTherapyUtah so you don’t know? Isn’t there someone you work with that could answer? He asked an incredible question. This is why I’m in pain everyday- because no one knows anything. Every health exam is a waste of money to get me out the door. All questions minimized. Doesn’t anyone in medicine know medicine???? hsndkfksjwb

[@HomeschoolMamaJ]

@@EmiliaLanders I agree, this was an incredible question and I was excited to see that there was an answer but then quickly let down by the non answer. How disappointing...

[@munchingmozzarella587]

I think my left leg is longer than my right. When I raise my right heel and lift my right pelvis up, I am about an inch or two taller. I also have severe lumbar scoliosis, where the convex is on the right. What exercises should I do?

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

@@munchingmozzarella587 i would get training with a Schroth therapist.

[@monapatel2296]

he has long left leg and short right leg so scoliosis on which side ? which side is convexity developing ?

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

That would depend on a few other things.

[@poppyseed4807]

I have a longer left leg and my thoracic scoliosis is rightward leaning. Not sure which came first, chicken-egg situation. Probably depends on the person, but I have a lot of left sided gluteal and back muscle weakness so would make sense that the tighter/stronger right sided muscles might tug on my spine to the point of causing my mild 18 degree Cobb angle

[@simplyem.]

typically if its functional, the convexity will be on the side with the shorter leg. Example, shorter leg on R side = dextroconvex lumbar scoliosis

[@bhartiya809]

Please make a video on leg length discrepancy. I have same leg length discrepancy like this guy

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

Will do

[@mphommathapelomolekoa]

Very helpful video , thank you.

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

You are welcome!

[@OTLStr-o5u]

I have a leg leghth difference and a thoracic scoliosis. My legs thickness are uneven. One is long and thin and the other is shorter and kinda normal thickness.

[@maryhansen7021]

me too.

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

That can happen

[@Guestabcdef]

Same any thing changed

[@arsalanprogamerz]

So in her case , scoliosis will be progressive??​@@AlignTherapyUtah

[@bismarkbizmark5639]

But if someone has a pelvic tilt and twisted spine i would expect it to throw these measurements way off For a heel insert, assuming an actual skeletal leg length discrepancy, wouldn't someone also need to use/wear such an insert indoors as well? Otherwise the inside/outside different bodily mechanical forces would put stress on the skeleton and connective tissues

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

The best way to determine a leg length difference is an x-ray of the legs

[@saakshi9133]

Hello can you tell me if a person with ligament laxity (according to the orthopedic) and trauma due to RTA (fall on left side from motorcycle)cause LLD in an otherwise normal person who did not have LLD before? The leg on the traumatic side(lt.)is longer now then before.

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

I guess it could. I would get it checked out.

[@arsalanprogamerz]

I have right thoracic and left lumber curve and my left leg is longer than the right one is it structural or functional?? But my scoliosis is mild and age is 19

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

If it corrects with a heel lift, most likely it is functional.

[@arsalanprogamerz]

@@AlignTherapyUtah I do also think that it's fictional cause I just started to try pull weight on my both legs equally and I feel my left side ribs is now less prominent from the front, I think I should go for heel lift now, but I have a question it will progress further?? Please suggest me some exercises which I can do at home for my case .it would be so nice of you ✨😭

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

@@arsalanprogamerz it could still progress. I would suggest having someone take a look in person.

[@DanielOfAuburn]

Thank you!

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

No problem

[@Stardust_Truth_Seeker]

That approach to discrepancies in the body seems far to oversimplified, the body is way more interconnected and if so many musculoskeletal pathways up the chain surely that could be contributing to a functional leg length discrepancy stop the only way to really know that surely is with an x-ray and measuring the bones but muscle tightness and muscular skeletal asymmetry must also be considered . Dr Berg did a video explaining the last thing you should do is put a heel lift in someone's do with a functional leg length discrepancy as there is a muscle that connects the hip to the under the rib cage area which when it is tight is the cause of leg length discrepancy and if you put a heel lift in it pushes the femur further into the hip bone exacerbating the problem. the musculoskeletal chain is so interconnected it can't be relevant for everyone to sticking a lift in thier shoe to compensate. The body is much more sophisticated all the way up the kinetic chain. Even glute strength or foot arch posture contributes to alignment, rotation etc Dr Berg demonstrated a few minute exercise correction.. you cannot simply stretch the short leg out because the muscle just goes back in again like an elastic band... so what you do if you pull the long leg 10 time that sends a message to the Muscle that's in a defensive reaction to relax and it worked that leg lengthened

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

Of course the only sure way is an xray. This was a simple way to check before ordering that xray.

[@imogen206]

I have a shorter left leg and tightness under my left rip cage. So what do you do to fix this

[@saumyagarg8866]

U should not use a piece of paper 📄 under the foot as it is the study material.. Please use some wooden or leather material..

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

It is just to show you can use other things that you have on hand. Thanks for your thoughts!

[@cobrafan1403]

they want you to wear the heel lift 24/7 that is not possible for me. I prefer to be barefoot most of the time

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

There are lifts that are like socks that you don't have to have a shoe. That could work for you. It all depends on what your goals are.

[@jamessmith4681]

TRUE LL HARDY EVER EXISTS.Its the pelvis and soft tissue pulling up..

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

I would have to disagree with you. I have seen many patients with a true LLD... confirmed on xray. Many times people will see a pelvic shift and think it is a leg length difference, and that is false, but a true LLD happens fairly often in my clinic.

[@LEB1991]

Interesting

[@AlignTherapyUtah]

Thanks!