Limb Length Discrepancy & Deformity Correction

Limb Length Discrepancy refers to having lower limbs of unequal lengths, and may affect an entire limb or a segment of the limb.

Limb Length Discrepancy may be caused by an undergrowth of one limb due to malformation, previous infection or injury or an overgrowth of one limb due to malformation, previous injury or an unknown cause (Idiopathic).

• Standing posture of the lower limbs may not be symmetrical
• One side of the pelvis may be higher than the other
• There may be a secondary curvature of the spine with tilting of the shoulders
• Usually a painless condition

• The underlying cause needs to be addressed
• The age of the child and predicted growth remaining needs to be considered
• If small difference in length, a shoe lift can be used for the shorter side
• Larger differences in length can be treated surgically by slowing the growth of the longer limb or lengthening the shorter limb