Measuring Leg Length Discrepancies
Unequal Lower Limb Length is often a factor in your patient's lower limb and back pain. Unfortunately there is no uniformly accepted method of measuring a short leg. Some of the more common tests from Atlas Biomechanics to diagnosis a short limb are:
1) Have the patient stand against the wall. Tell the patient to stand normally and not to straighten up. Using a tape measure, hold one end to the patients belly button and the other end to bottom of the medial heel of both feet.
2) Observing the patient's gait and posture. The center of gravity is shifted towards the short side. Compensation of the short leg will result in unilateral subtalar pronation, knee flexion, lumbar scoliosis and pelvic tilt.
3) Measure the patient while prone, measure the limb length discrepancy from the anterior superior iliac spine to the medial malleolus.
Atlas Biomechanics produces heel lifts to meet all your patients' leg length discrepancies. Our USA made shoe lifts come in 1/8 inch (3 mm) heel lift, 1/4 inch (6 mm) heel lift, 3/8 inch (9 mm) heel lift, 1/2 inch (12 mm) heel lift and an Adjustable Heel Lift with a Built In Heel Wedge.
We produce 3 styles of orthotics 1) Narrow (Dress) Designed for high heels (up to 2"), flats, and loafers. 2) Sport (Athletic) Designed for gym shoes, work boots, ice skates and ski boots. 3) Prefab Designed with built in posting for extra control and full length cushioned top cover. |
