Leg Length Difference

Our bodies aren’t always symmetrical. There are small differences between sides that make us unique. The length of your legs is just one example where these differences between right and left can occur.

A difference between the length of a person’s legs is a relatively common finding. There are a number of different causes for the difference. There may be a structural difference, where the length of the tibia or the femur may be different.

Alternatively, there may be a functional leg length difference. A functional leg length difference refers to a soft tissue changes, such as a tightness in the muscles, joints, or tendons at the foot, knee, or hip.

Leg length differences can occur as part of an individual’s make-up (congenital), or may be a result from surgery or injury, or develop after a preference for the use of one side.

A leg length difference can contribute to one-sided problems of the foot, lower leg, hip, or lower back due to an uneven distribution of body weight when standing and walking.

A small leg length difference may cause no major effects, however as the difference between leg lengths increases, so too does the likelihood of injury.

Leg length differences can be estimated in clinic by podiatrists, your Pivotal Motion Physiotherapist or other health professionals. An accurate measurement can be gained through imaging.