Leg length difference
A leg length difference occurs when one leg is shorter or longer than the other. Even a small difference can sometimes affect the way you walk and place extra stress on the feet, knees, hips or lower back.
At Aligna Podiatry in Balwyn North we assess your lower limb biomechanics to determine whether a leg length difference is affecting your movement. Your treatment plan may include custom orthotics, shoe modifications and targeted exercises to improve your alignment and reduce unnecessary stress through the lower limbs. Book a leg length assessment today.
What is leg length difference?
A leg length difference means that one leg measures differently from the other. This can be a true difference in the length of the bones or an apparent difference caused by the way the pelvis, hips, knees or feet are positioned.
Many people have a small difference between their legs without experiencing any problems. However, a larger or more significant difference can affect the way your body moves and compensates during walking and exercise.
It can be caused by:
- Differences in bone length
- Previous fractures or injuries
- Changes around the hip or pelvis
- Foot or ankle positioning
- Changes in the way the body moves
- Growth and development
How it can feel:
- Uneven walking pattern
- One foot feeling like it takes more load
- Hip or lower back discomfort
- Knee pain
- Foot or ankle pain
- Increased fatigue during walking or exercise
Signs, symptoms & when to see a podiatrist
Common signs:
- One leg appearing shorter than the other
- Uneven wear on your shoes
- Changes in your walking pattern
- Hip or lower back discomfort
- Repeated pain on one side of the body
- One foot feeling more heavily loaded
See a podiatrist if:
- You have ongoing pain on one side of your body
- You notice a significant difference between your legs
- You have had a previous injury that may have changed your leg length
- Your walking pattern has changed
- You are experiencing recurring foot, knee, hip or lower back pain
A biomechanical assessment can help determine whether a leg length difference is actually contributing to your symptoms.
How we treat leg length difference at Aligna
The first step is understanding whether the difference is structural or functional and whether it is actually contributing to your symptoms.
Stage 1: Assess your biomechanics
We assess your feet, ankles, knees, hips and walking pattern to understand how your body is compensating for the difference.
Stage 2: Improve alignment and function
Where appropriate we may use custom orthotics or shoe modifications to help balance the way your feet and lower limbs are loaded. We may also recommend targeted exercises to improve strength and control.
We also find the cause
Not every leg length difference needs to be corrected. Our aim is to understand how your individual difference is affecting your movement and only provide support when it is clinically appropriate.
Recovery & rehab
How long does it take?
The timeframe depends on the cause of the leg length difference and how your body is responding to treatment. Your body may also need time to adjust to changes in support or alignment.
Why the right approach matters
Improving strength and movement alongside biomechanical support can help your body adapt more effectively and reduce unnecessary stress through the lower limbs.
How we help you stay pain-free:
- Lower limb biomechanical assessment
- Custom orthotics if needed
- Shoe modifications where appropriate
- Targeted strengthening
- Foot and lower limb exercises
- Walking and movement assessment
- Advice on gradually adapting to new support
Our goal is to help your body move as efficiently and comfortably as possible.
Summary
Our goal is simple: to understand how your leg length difference is affecting your body and help you move more comfortably.
At Aligna Podiatry we don’t just measure the length of your legs. We assess your lower limb biomechanics to understand how your feet, knees, hips and pelvis are working together, then address the root cause of any problems we identify.
Your treatment plan is built around you and may combine custom orthotics, shoe modifications and targeted exercises to improve alignment and reduce unnecessary stress.
Whether your leg length difference is causing foot pain, knee pain, hip pain or lower back discomfort, we’re here to help you restore balance, improve function and move with confidence.
Book your appointment in Balwyn North
Struggling with chronic heel pain, tendon pain or another stubborn injury?
Our experienced team at Aligna Podiatry in Balwyn North takes a holistic, whole-body approach to treating the foot, ankle and knee. We combine high-power laser therapy, shockwave with hands-on care, cupping and rehab to reduce pain and restore alignment and movement. Contact our Balwyn North clinic today to book an assessment and find out which treatment is right for you.