Limb Length Differences
Limb length differences are more common than we think. In fact, most of us will have one leg slightly longer than the other. But the human body is extremely adept at compensating for this and many of us will pass through life without any complications of a longer leg.
However, the greater the difference in the length of your legs, the greater the compensation that is required, and the greater the chance of developing pain. This pain can occur in any of the structures that help to adjust for a longer limb, such as the feet, ankles or knees. If the body cannot compensate enough for a limb length difference, then pain can be felt in any of the above mentioned joints as well as the hips and back.
It is also important to note that there are two different types of limb length differences. The first is where the actual length of the bones in the legs is different. This is an anatomical limb length difference.
The next is where the length of the bones are the same but due to one of them being bent, twisted or poorly aligned, they function as if they are different in length. This is called a functional limb length difference.
