How to Assess a Leg Length Difference

A Physical Therapist demonstrates how to distinguish between a true and an apparent leg length difference. The subject is a female with a true short femur.

More demonstrations of physical therapy measurements can be seen at http://www.Physical-Therapy-Videos.com/ .

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• physical
• therapy
• education
• diagnosis
• rehabilitation
• exercise
• health

[cervelo58]

Does the doctor own the company making the insert or have any financial interest in selling it to you? Over the counter inserts cost $5-25 dollars and work just fine. Expensive insert may not be necessary for a 2.5cm difference, which is mild. Surgery is extremely rare and anyone considering surgery should get 2 or 3 opinions.

[cervelo58]

So, you've discovered what has stymied medical science for 2,000 years, namely the cause of idiopathic spinal scoliosis? Man, you're good!

Tim

[redsmerf]

@lorddarthvader1975 Pretty much every physical therapist should be qualified. Depending on their area of practice (eg. orthopedic vs cardiopulmonary) it may have been a long time since they've done it. Personally, this was taught in literally the first term when I went to PT school.

[lorddarthvader1975]

are all physical therapists qualified to do leg length discrepancies? or is there some other title of specialist? ur vid is awesome : )

[lorddarthvader1975]

are all physical therapists qualified to do leg length discrepancies? or is there some other title of specialist? ur vid is awesome : )

[lorddarthvader1975]

kjkljj

[bm2g]

@cervelo58 hi there ive been to the docs today because my hip is sticking out&he told me i have a Leg Length Difference, he is organising for me to have a insert made but im really worried about this because im only 26! to think i have to wear this forever scares me! but i dont want surgery either,my one leg is about 2.5cm longer!

[theneatobandito]

@AcupunctureEdu

the body will take it's compensation higher, into the spine, which is a highly mobile system of unique joints, that will bend & alter their basic structure to ensure that each step the client takes doesn't harm nerves or blood vessels; hence the reason the client has such a severe scoliosis. These conditions can be greatly explained, not through muscle tissue, but fascial tissue.

[theneatobandito]

@AcupunctureEdu

If all the client needs in terms of a heel lift is a 1/2" or so, then this discrepancy can easily be created through the restriction of the iliopsoas, as well as the glute medius, & possibly even other major thigh muscles. We have clearly more than a 1/2" amount of space in the hip joint, capable of producing a change that drastic. Once the space of the hip has come to a bone-on-bone connection, & no more compression can be tolerated by the joint, but the restriction remains

[theneatobandito]

@AcupunctureEdu

like to make about some majorly overlooked details is that at 1:52, when the client is bending her knees up, she also lifts & shifts her pelvis to the right. That single movement is created out of necessity by her body because of the heavy amount of restriction in the iliopsoas. In a previous debate with the therapist, he made a point of explaining to me that the only relief the client has experienced thus far has been from a heel lift in her shoe. Yet how big of a heel lift?

[theneatobandito]

@AcupunctureEdu

First & foremost, I'm not convinced that it's a true leg length discrepancy. The hands on technique used in the video to assess the leg length is entirely correct, I use the exact technique myself. He makes a point in the video of stating that there appears to be no leg length difference when the leg is being pulled down into full extension; however, once he has the client behind her knees up, he states that you see a discrepancy in the left leg (1:56). The point I would really