Pearland 713-436-3900
Pasadena 281-998-8600
Clear Lake 281-724-0300
Town & Country 832-657-0900
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Treatment for Different Length Legs

I found out I have a very small (quarter inch) difference in the length of my legs. The right is shorter than the left. Should I do anything about it?

The answer to your question depends on the cause of your leg length difference. If it's from a shortened, overworked muscle then exercises to stretch that muscle out might restore your full length.

If it's a true leg length difference (the bones are shorter on one side), then a shoe insert or shoe lift can level your pelvis and spine. Symmetry is important to prevent future back pain or other problems.

Small leg length differences don't require much more than that. Surgery is only done for severe cases of shortening.

Ruth Defrin, PhD, et al. Conservative Correction of Leg-Length Discrepancies of 10mm or Less for the Relief of Chronic Low Back Pain. In Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. November 2005. Vol. 86. No. 11. Pp. 2075-2080.

Clear Lake
250 Blossom St.
Suite 240
Webster, TX 77598
Tel. 281-724-0300
Fax 281-724-0310
Pasadena Clinic
4600 Fairmont Pkwy
Suite 205
Pasadena, TX 77504
Tel. 281-998-8600
Fax 281-998-8604
Pearland Clinic
10223 W. Broadway
Suite B
Pearland, TX 77584
Tel. 713-436-3900
Fax 713-436-3904
Town & Country clinic
10575 Katy Freeway
Suite 244
Houston, TX, 77024
Tel: 832-657-0900
Fax: 832-657-0904