Picture this.
A man walks down a narrow path, pushing an empty stroller while his daughter scampers slightly ahead, eager for playtime in the afternoon sun. That’s when he sees it—a slight but noticeable limp in her step. Instantly, his mind begins to race, searching for something, anything, that could explain what he has just witnessed.
That child was me, many years ago, constantly worrying my father with my uneven gait. No one in my family knew what, if anything, might be causing me to walk differently. As a result, the next several years of my life included annual visits to the local children’s hospital for a variety of x-rays and consultations.
Shortly after my first appointment, I was diagnosed with a condition known as leg length discrepancy (LLD). Small differences between leg lengths are very common in the population and have little to no effect on an individual’s daily life. According to Boston Children’s Hospital, the discrepancy between the two lengths can range from one to over six centimeters. Greater differences manifest as more prominent physical effects, which in turn are more likely to require medical attention. In my case, my right leg was noticeably shorter than my left, enough to need some treatment to avoid future complications.
LLD is usually divided into one of two categories: structural LLD or functional LLD. In a structural discrepancy, which was my diagnosis, the thigh or shin bone in one leg is physically shorter than the bone in the other limb. As for a functional LLD, leg lengths are identical, but alignment of the body is uneven somewhere else (for example, at the hip). Not surprisingly, leg length discrepancies are often diagnosed in early childhood because many children exhibit uneven walking patterns to compensate for the shorter leg. If left untreated, both forms of LLD can result in more serious physical issues such as degenerative arthritis, scoliosis, and lower back pain. In severe cases of LLD, surgery may be necessary to correct the issue. However, contingent upon the type of LLD and the magnitude of the difference, most cases do not require invasive procedures for treatment. LLD is typically corrected early on through leg braces or prosthetic devices for larger discrepancies.
LLD is not a debilitating condition, though early diagnosis and treatment are helpful for maintaining good health. Despite having to wear a brace at night for months at a time, my athletic ability was not hindered in any way by my slightly shorter leg. Eventually, the doctor’s appointments and yearly x-ray monitoring stopped, as my doctors believed that I would grow out of my condition naturally over time.
Today, my LLD is virtually nonexistent, and the same holds true for many other people with this condition. While LLD is not particularly well-known, it can be easily corrected once identified and addressed by health professionals. The diagnosis may be concerning and perplexing at first, but conquering a leg length discrepancy is far simpler than you might think.
