Short Leg Syndrome
It must be noted right from the start that short leg syndrome comes in 2 completely different and distinctive types of diagnosis. The first details a condition in which the actual leg bones are of different lengths or may entail a structural concern with the placement or proximity of the hip socket. This is known as anatomical short leg. This is the type most identified and treated by orthopedists and physical therapists. The other type is called functional short leg. This is the variety focused upon by
chiropractic
practitioners more than any other kind of care provider. In this scenario, the patients anatomy is perfectly (or close to perfectly) symmetrical, but the legs may be or appear different lengths due to some non-skeletal issue, including postural concerns and soft tissue pathologies.Both varieties of short leg are relatively common and can result from many possible causes. Most mild to moderate cases are not problematic and do not produce any pain. Some patients with severe and extreme SLS can indeed suffer symptoms, although these case profiles are rare. Far more typical is the
misdiagnosis
of minor (or even fabricated) SLS when the condition is actually innocent (or nonexistent) and coincidental to any painful complaint.
Different Leg Lengths
Unequal Leg Length
What is Short Leg Syndrome?
SLS is simply a condition in which one leg is, or appears to be, shorter than the other. This is thought to create pain by placing abnormal and excessive stress on the hip, knee,
spine,
sacroiliac joint
and surrounding
musculature.
According to most
back care
professionals who diagnose SLS, the
spinal anatomy
is designed to bear weight evenly, left to right. In cases where one leg is not holding up an equal percentage of bodily weight and circumstantial stresses, abnormal force is applied to the skeleton, potentially creating unilateral focal overuse and
muscle imbalance
conditions. This applies regardless of whether the patient has been diagnosed with Anatomical SLS or Functional SLS.
Anatomical Short Leg Syndrome
Anatomical SLS is also called structural SLS. This condition is characterized by a noticeable discrepancy in leg length between left and right. The condition might be slight and only noticeable on x-ray films or may be drastic and obvious to the naked eye. The most common causes of structural SLS include a past history of serious leg fractures, a
congenital
defect, knee joint problems and hip problems. This type of SLS can not typically be reversed using
spinal manipulation
therapy and is typically treated using shoe insert orthotics. Ironically, even the most obvious anatomical SLS conditions are statistically less likely to cause pain than "so called" functional SLS cases.
Functional Short Leg Syndrome
Functional SLS is a common
scapegoat
on which
chronic back pain
is often blamed.
Chiropractors
are famous for making this diagnosis and will often comment to their patient how one leg is shorter than another. Functional SLS is often blamed on
posture,
unequal weight distribution or sacroiliac concerns. Of course the usual vertebral subluxations are also a typical explanative theory. Far more often, there is no actual problem and the diagnosis is simply an excuse for treatment. Personally, I was diagnosed with functional SLS throughout my
chiropractic treatment
and never bought into this diagnostic conclusion. On any given day, I could go to my chiropractor and receive the diagnosis. I would get a
spinal adjustment
and the chiropractor would say it was resolved. Just for kicks, I would sometimes get checked by one chiropractor right after another adjusted me, in the same office, without even leaving the table... Sure enough, functional SLS again, and sometimes on the other leg… It was laughable! This is not to say that the condition does not exist. Certainly some people do have definitive soft tissue conditions which can and do source functional short leg syndrome. However, these represent a small minority of the patients whose pain is blamed on what amounts to a whole lot of ado about nothing… Remember the body is very adaptive and it is highly unlikely that a minuscule amount of leg length discrepancy, which may vary from moment to moment, will cause the type of serious and agonizing pain syndromes blamed upon it.
Advice on Short Leg Syndrome
Those of you with anatomical SLS are most likely aware of the leg length discrepancy and probably have functioned quite well, despite the condition. Those of you with a significant leg length concern might have had some pain and a tough time functionally.Most of you struggling with functional SLS are probably wasting your time chasing shadows. Your doctor might be trying their best to help you, but maybe they are simply on the wrong track. I have yet to meet ANYONE who was diagnosed with this condition and ever found a permanent cure using manual adjustment therapy. If you are the one, I would love to hear your story.
Short Leg Syndrome to Back Pain
9/28/09 Revised 1/12/12
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