Leg length Discrepancy

Small differences, ( less than 1 cm) in the length of the legs is common natural variation in the general population and  people who have it many not even know it , because it doesn’t cause any symptoms.
Leg length discrepancy can occur as a result of an old fracture which healed in shortened position or congenital hypoplasia or other developmental deformity of the femur or tibia or both. Sometimes, leg length discrepancy is combined with other limb deformities, i.e. rotational malalignment syndrome of the legs, varus or valgus deformity of the femur or tibia or others.

Bigger leg length discrepancy can cause symptoms in the form of limbing, imbalance and low back pain. These symptoms may cause significant psychological burden especially in younger and more active persons in occasions where it is required to walk bare foot ( i.e on the beach or other public places or in their home during their personal moments with their signifcant other).

Although the use of a simple insole raise can solve the problem in older patients , this is not satisfactory in younger and more active patiens or in cases of persistent back pain. Treatment options in these cases include limb lengthening of the femur or tibia or both; combined when needed with correction of other concomitant limb deformities.  This can be done either with internal lengthening nails or with external fixation devices.