Leg Length Discrepancy

Leg Length Discrepancy

What is leg length discrepancy?

Leg length discrepancy (LLD) means one leg is shorter than the other, from bone length, hip or knee deformity, or post-surgical or post-amputation change. Treatment on the DME/orthotic side is a lift: a heel lift inside the shoe for a small difference, or an external shoe build-up when the difference is larger (often when more than about 10 mm cannot fit inside the shoe). The lift is measured to a clinical exam, not to a guess.

Why are lifts used for leg length discrepancy?

Unequal length can tilt the pelvis and change load through the spine, hip, knee, and foot. Lifts are used when the difference is symptomatic or when equalization is part of a surgical or prosthetic plan (including after Syme’s amputation on the other side). Not every small anatomic difference needs a full correction. Over-lifting can create new problems. The clinician decides how much of the measured difference to accommodate.

What are the benefits of lifts for leg length discrepancy?

• Levels the pelvis when a lift is indicated
• May reduce limp and compensatory low-back or hip strain
• Can be added internally or externally depending on height needed
• Is reversible and adjustable as swelling, surgery, or a prosthesis changes