Limb Length Discrepancy

Congenital (since birth) conditions like:

• Femoral deficiency (loss of the thigh bone)
• Hip dislocation and genetic conditions like Down’s syndrome or Turner’s syndrome

Acquired conditions like:

• Injuries to the limb growth plate
• Bone infection
• Post-traumatic malunion and tumours
• Muscle weakness or contractures and joint contractures 

• Uneven walking pattern
• Limping
• Difficulty in balance and coordination
• Backpain

• Measurement of true limb length, pelvic tilt, and shoulder drop.
• Observation of the walking pattern.
• X-ray of both lower limbs that should include pelvis and ankle joint.
• Computed tomography to assess the bony involvement or childhood bone disorder
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the soft tissues around the bones and joint.

Non-surgical treatment

• Observation in patients with a discrepancy of less than 2 cm.
• Orthotic devices like heel raises, shoe lifts, and extension prostheses.

Surgical treatment

Available surgical approaches for limb deformity correction are as follows:

• Epiphysiodesis: This involves putting plates or screws to restrict the growth either on one or both sides of a particular bone.
• Osteotomy: This involves lengthening or shortening the bone surgically based on the indication and requirement.