How Is Leg Length Discrepancy Diagnosed?

To diagnose a limb length discrepancy, orthopedic  specialists (doctors and other health care providers who treat bone and muscle problems):

talk to the family and the child (if they're old enough to understand)

do a physical exam

measure both legs

watch how the child walks

take X-rays

How Is Leg Length Discrepancy Treated?

Treating a slight difference in leg length can mean lengthening the shorter leg or shortening the longer leg. A shoe lift can even out small differences, and might be all that some kids need. But if the difference in leg length is more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) or gets worse as the child grows, surgery can help. Kids may need more than one surgery as they grow.

An option for kids who are still growing is epiphysiodesis (pronounced: ep-i-fiz-ee-uh-DEE-sis). In this relatively simple outpatient surgery, one or two of the growth plates (areas at the end of bones where new growth happens) in the longer leg are scraped or compressed with surgical plates and screws. The surgery slows or stops the longer leg from growing so the shorter leg can catch up.

If a child has stopped growing, orthopedists can sometimes correct a leg length discrepancy by shortening the longer leg. This is done by removing a piece of bone from the longer leg.

Limb lengthening surgery also can be done. In this surgery, the shorter limb is lengthened through a device on the outside of the body (an external fixator) or a device placed inside the bone (limb lengthening device). This surgery requires a stay in the hospital and weeks to months of follow-up care and rehabilitation.

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