Scoliosis and Leg Length Difference

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CraigKenisston

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I went to a chiropractic to review my back, since I've had problems for years. I work seat all day on the computer.
I took a series of x-ray from the back only, and with the one from the hip, he saw an inclination from the right side to the left side, so he diagnosis I have a shorter leg. The back looks with an inclination to the left too, so he told me I have scoliosis.

I didn't tell a thing, but I went out with a 12mm insole for my left leg. He didn't even try to measure my legs or try to see an eyeball diagnosis.

I just can't stand that. I don't believe that's enough to diagnosis LLD and nothing else.

There's must be something more scientific to measure my legs.

How does a doctor usually discard or asses this?

PS. I'm 38 yo, never had any surgery of any kind and practice sport regular, jogging, weight lifting, etc.
 
I would follow up with a visit to your regular doctor. He can take basic x-rays and see if you really have scoliosis. Some chiropractors are well versed in reading x-rays, but I know of some who count on the patient taking their word for it, and they don't really know all that much about what they're looking at. I'm not saying your chiro doesn't know what he's talking about, but it's always a good idea to follow up with a real doctor if there's a real problem.

Almost every chiropractor will tell you that one leg is longer than the other. It seems to be standard practice. If you have scoliosis, as I do, you will have one hip higher than the other, which will make it seem that one leg is longer than the other, but it really isn't.

I wish you the best as you try to figure out what's going on.

Emily
 
There are two types of LLD true or anatomical LLD is when the bones in one leg are actually shorter than the other. The other type is aquired LLD this is when the bones of the pelvis rotate the wrong way leaving the hips unlevel and creating the appearence of a LLD.

LLD is a contrversial subject in the medical community there is a lot of dissagreement about how big the difference neeRAB to be to cause problems and whether these differences cause back problems also there is no clear agreement on how to treat this disorder.


I think an Xray is enough to show that you have scoliois and unlevel hips but i agree that a thouagh examination is needed to try and find out whether one of your legs is truly shorter than the other as i have heard that putting a lift under the short leg where the hip on that side is simply higher will only help keep that hip in a higer position than the hip on the other side however i am only a lay person and its difficult to be to sure of myself.

Good luck CraigKenisston
 
Been there, done that! I made two HUGE mistakes in 5 years. The first was going to a chiro of whom convinced me for a while that my scoliosis could be not only kept under control but "in many cases improved tremendously with his chiropractic care". Spinal manipulation cannot and will not straighten a 51 year old spine no matter how good you are! So, when I started losing my balance and having falls and continuous pain I made an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon. He basically told me that due to my curvature and the disc deteriation that there was a chance that my ability to walk would be compromised within a matter of months. To make a long story short, About 3 surgeries within a 3 1/2 yr span, I have gotten progressively worse and the pain at times is unbearable. I decided to finally get a second opinion and I thank God I did. Apparently my scoliosis has progressively worse in the last 3 years and if something isn`t done soon (if it isn`t too late already) I am facing the chance that I may no longer be walking by the time I turn 60. The doctor has referred me to a world reknown dr in UVA that specializes in scoliosis. I see him on Dec 22. What I`m basically saying is don`t take your scoliosis lightly and don`t put all your faith in one doctor and don`t think a chiro can straighten youtr back! Keep check on it and see as many specialists as necessary before you commit to surgery. Take it from one who knows. If I can help in any way, let me know. By the way, I went to a neuro the second time around and I suggest that you do the same.
 
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