sportinjurymatt.co.uk
Interesting.....
Great post on the often 'insignificance' of LEG LENGTH INEQUALITY by @rehabscience. Therapists are always taught to check for leg length difference, but how useful a test is it?
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"Leg length inequality (LLI) is a measurement that is taken by many rehabilitation professionals when patients present with various lower quarter conditions. However, we must ask ourselves if these inequalities are truly associated with pain and/or impaired function and, if so, how much of an inequality must exist before we see problems.
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According to the review study below, which examined studies on LLI from 1970-2005, LLI was found to exist in 90% of the population. In fact, on average most of us have a LLI of 5.2 mm (1/5”) and suffer no negative consequences.
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Furthermore, seven studies in the review compared asymptomatic (no pain) individuals with people who had symptoms somewhere in the kinetic chain (knee, hip, and low back) and found that there was no statistically significant difference in leg length (5.1 mm versus 5.2 mm). These results suggest that average LLI is not correlated with painful lower quarter issues.
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So, when might a LLI matter? Well, it appears that a LLI of >20 mm (3/4”) may be associated with the development of knee osteoarthritis and/or low back pain. A LLI 20 mm may result in active muscular compensation and, potentially, pain.
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So, don’t stress if you are told you have a LLI since almost everyone else also has one. If you have a larger inequality and lower quarter pain, consider seeking help from a rehabilitation practitioner.
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📚Knutson GA. Anatomic and functional leg-length inequality: A review and recommendation for clinical decision-making. Chiropr Osteopat. 2005."
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#sportstherapy #physiotherapy #Chiropractic #osteopathy #rehabilitation #leglengthdifference #posture #pain ... See more
