We don’t live in a very perfect world. Leg length differences are more common than you think. Over half of the human race has a very small difference in leg lengths. However, in most people, the difference is extremely small and does not require any treatment whatsoever. Research has shown that people have gone through their entire lives without even being aware of it. Leg length discrepancy or LLD or anisomelia is the medical term for the condition.
When does the problem need a medical remedy?
More than seventy percent of humans undergo massive structural changes like mild lumbar scoliosis, pelvic torsion, and muscle length changes, which compensate for Limb length differences. The LLD goes unnoticed till it is within 20 millimeters. However, for children, the extent of LLD can increase. Physicians usually use predictive algorithms to estimate the final extent of leg length discrepancy noted during the growing years.
It is only when the difference in limb length measures more than 2 centimeters or 0.787402 inches that the issue needs to be addressed. Limb length discrepancies in children can be evaluated with a thorough physical examination which also includes a standing x-ray filming to get the exact measurement of the limb length discrepancy. Then the predictive algorithm is used to estimate the LLD at the adult full-grown age of the child. Then the physician takes steps to remedy the condition. The three popular remedies are using standard or orthopedic shoe lifts or going for leg lengthening surgeries.
Standard shoe lifts
Shoe lifts for kids are a readily available and economical action. Shoe lifts for children are thick shoe lifts that are designed to be inserted as thick insoles. For using standard shoe lifts slightly bigger size of a shoe may be required.
Orthopedic shoe lifts
An Orthopedic Shoe lift for kids can also be used to remedy the situation. The orthopedic shoe lift usually can address heel pain and leg length discrepancies and can also be customized to the exact measurement by prior order. The orthopedic shoe lifts which are customized to an individual’s requirement are usually more expensive than the standard shoe lifts available in the market.
What is a leg-lengthening surgery?
Leg lengthening surgery can also be used to remedy the situation surgically. This procedure is the most complicated and expensive option. It stimulates the bone in a patient’s leg which is shorter than the other grows longer by surgically cutting the bone and inserting a device that gradually moves the two ends of the bone apart to enable the lengthening of the bone. Bone lengthening is a process that requires very patient monitoring and extreme care. Any accident or stress in the area can disrupt the entire process. This is because the space that opens up between these two ends is extremely vulnerable. A new bone takes time to grow into that space and fill the gap. The process can also require repetitions as the patients may need to undergo more than one cycle of this lengthening procedure. Therefore the entire length of the remedial course can take several years.
Learn about the procedures and make an informed decision
A patient, his or her family, parents, guardians, etc. must understand the procedure, the risks involved in the procedure, and the precautions they need to take during this procedure. This is because one cannot decide to quit after the first surgery has been done and the leg-lengthening device has been inserted. The most important part of any procedure is to take an informed decision.
There are primarily two types of such devices. The first one is essentially a kind of frame that the patient needs to wear on the outside of their leg. A person from the patient needs to take the responsibility of expanding the frame at intervals stipulated by the doctor. The sending device is an expandable rod that is lengthened with the help of a magnetic controller.
Business Name: Shoe Lift Express
Country: United States
Address: 2900 Central Ave Suite 110, Homewood, AL 35209
Email: victorcostacped@gmail.com
Contact No: +18089385438
