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Different in appearance of the
Real different in skeletal legs, whereby one leg looks
length longer or shorter than
another.
Measured from ASIS to
MM Measured from Umbilicus to
MM
No fixed deformities of the hip, knee
and spine
Patient lies supine.
Pelvis level and legs in line with
Right Side Left Side
trunk
T = 85 cm T = 82 cm
A = 90 cm A = 87 cm
Difference
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
A = 90 cm 87 cm = 3 cm
•The pelvis tilts to short side, and
•The spine must curve to
compensate.
When
sitting,
curved
spine
disappears!
3cm block under neath left
leg
Level pelvis
Straight spine
Right Side Right Side
Patient lies supine. T = 85 cm T = 82 cm
A = 90 cm A = 85 cm
If no hip contractor, easy to
get legs in line with body.
Pelvis remains tilted and
spine curved.
Difference
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
A = 90 cm 85 cm = 5 cm
Patient in standing. Difference
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
Spine deviating to short leg A = 90 cm 85 cm = 5 cm
Scoliosis not allow
compensation.
Patient
cannot
stand this
way!
Difference
3 cm block raised
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
Pelvis level A = 90 cm 85 cm = 5 cm
Trunk still deviates to short
side.
Patient may be
uncomfortable
or not able to
stand this way!
Difference
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
A = 90 cm 85 cm = 5 cm
5 cm raised block
Trunk upright
Pelvis not level
Patient
Spine not straight stands
comfortabl
y
Patient lies supine.
Leg is slightly abducted.
Straight spine
Patient lies supine.
Legs in line with body but
spine curves.
Difference
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
A = 90 cm 88 cm = 2 cm
Difference
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
A = 90 cm 88 cm = 2 cm
3 cm raised
Straight spine
Pelvis level
But leg abducted
Difference
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
3 cm raised block A = 90 cm 88 cm = 2 cm
Legs in line with body, but
tilt pelvis
Unaffected leg appears
short
Buildups is too big
Difference
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
A = 90 cm 88 cm = 2 cm
2 cm raised block
Legs in line with body but
pelvis tilts Patient can
stand
Curved spine comfortably
with both
feet on the
ground
What shall we do?
Lie the patient in supine.
Get the legs in line with body.
Try to get the pelvis level, but do not allow leg abducted or adducted.
Measure from umbilicus to bottom of the heel.
This produced apparent leg length discrepancy
USE THIS MEASUREMENT FOR BUILD UP!
Patient lying supine
Leg slightly adducted.
Right Side Left Side
Leg in line with body T = 85 cm T = 82 cm
A = 90 cm A = 85 cm
Tilted pelvis
Curved spine
Difference
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
A = 90 cm 85 cm = 5 cm
Difference
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
A = 90 cm 85 cm = 5 cm
3 cm raised block
Straight spine and level
pelvis
Slightly adducted leg Patient
cannot
stand this
way!
Difference
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
A = 90 cm 85 cm = 5 cm
Legs in line with body
Tilted pelvis
Curved spine
Buildup not enough
Difference
T = 85 cm 82 cm = 3 cm
5 cm raised block A = 90 cm 85 cm = 5 cm
Leg in line with body
Tilted pelvis
Patient can
Curved spine stand
comfortably
Both feet on the ground with both
feet on the
ground
What shall we do?
Lie the patient in supine.
Get the legs in line with body.
Try to get the pelvis level, but do not allow leg abducted or adducted.
Measure from umbilicus to bottom of the heel.
This produced apparent leg length discrepancy
USE THIS MEASUREMENT FOR BUILD UP!
Patient lying supine
One leg is abducted
Right Side Left Side
Legs in line with body T = 85 cm T = 84 cm
A = 90 cm A = 92 cm
Curved spine
Tilted pelvis
Difference
T = 85 cm 84 cm = 1 cm (left side is short)
A = 92 cm 90 cm = 2 cm (left side is long)
2 cm raised block
(unaffected side)
Leg in line with body
Tilted pelvis
Curved spine
Difference
T = 85 cm 84 cm = 1 cm (left side is short)
A = 92 cm 90 cm = 2 cm (left side is long)
True LLD is real shortening of the skeleton.
Apparent LLD is how a patient actually stands.
Buildups should always be done following apparent
LLD.
Using pelvis to measure leg length in standing can only
be done if no fixed contracture or scoliosis exist.
Q & A