How do you assess leg length difference?

A tape measure is typically used to measure the length of each lower extremity by measuring the distance between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the medial malleolus and is referred to as the “direct” clinical method for measuring LLD (Fig.

What is the average difference in leg length?

Most differences in leg length are normal. No one is perfectly symmetrical and a difference of up to 2 cm in adults is typical.

How much leg length discrepancy is significant?

Although a discrepancy that may not cause symptoms for one person may lead to severe problems in another, researchers have reported that an LLD surpassing 2 cm (roughly 3/4 inch) leads to significant gait asymmetry.

What is the difference between true and apparent leg length?

True leg length measurements are made between fixed bony landmarks, from the anterior superior iliac spine to the middle of the lateral and medial malleoli. Apparent leg length inequality is measured from a fixed point in the center of the body, usually the umbilicus, to the middle of the medial and lateral malleoli.

Are most people’s legs different lengths?

Having one leg longer than the other is relatively common. The condition is known as leg length discrepancy. Some research indicates that 40–70% of people have some form of leg length discrepancy (LLD). The differences in leg length can range from a fraction of an inch to several inches.

Do legs grow at different rates?

The difference in length can range from a fraction of an inch to several inches. Some children are born with congenital limb differences that cause their legs or arms to grow at different rates.

What is the difference between the way you test for a true leg length discrepancy and an apparent leg length discrepancy?

A: True leg length is a measure from a point on the pelvis (ASIS) to the ankle and apparent leg length is a measure from the umbilicus to the ankle.

How to measure your own true leg length?

Measuring True Leg Length 1. Find a friend to help you measure your legs. Measuring your own true leg length is very difficult and will not yield… 2. Lay down on a flat surface. Lay down flat on your back with your legs long and your feet spread hip-width apart. 3. Measure from your hip to your

Does leg length difference affect quality of life?

However, for the small percentage of people with a leg length difference greater than 2 cm, the difference in length can affect their well-being and quality of life. In most cases, the bones affected by a leg length discrepancy are the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone).

How much leg length difference is too much?

However, for the small percentage of people with a leg length difference greater than 2 cm, the difference in length can affect their well-being and quality of life. In most cases, the bones affected by a leg length discrepancy are the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone). (Left) A discrepancy in leg length most often involves the femur or tibia.

How is inseam leg length measured?

Inseam leg length is measured from crotch to floor, where your true leg length is measured from the top of your legs to your ankles. For more accurate results, ask a friend to help you. If you don’t have someone able to help you, you can take your own measurements.