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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Unequal Leg Length?

Hi, there! Thanks for your time. We recently realized that one of our daughters (age 9) has one leg slightly longer than the other (maybe a half inch or so). We became aware because one of her feet pronates and the podiatrist suggested that, while rare without trauma, it could be possible that one leg is longer. So now that we know this, we are wondering if there are any health implications or physical development issues we may need to be aware of. Should she be evaluated by her pediatrician?
Wed, 12 Feb 2014
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Pediatrician,  's  Response
Hi,

Thanks for writing to health care magic.
I can understand your concern.

Yes there could be several causes for that. You should get her evaluated by a paediatrician and also orthopaedic doctor. Difference in the leg length can cause several problems including spinal problems. There are several modalities of treatment available for that. Small difference may be treated by increasing the thickness of the sole of the shoe. Larger differences require limb shortening procedure of the taller leg in case of tall children and limb lengthening procedure of the shorter leg in case short children.

Continue to ask further queries as required.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Dr Y V Siva Sankara Murty
M.D.(Pediatrics)
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
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What Causes Unequal Leg Length?

Hi, Thanks for writing to health care magic. I can understand your concern. Yes there could be several causes for that. You should get her evaluated by a paediatrician and also orthopaedic doctor. Difference in the leg length can cause several problems including spinal problems. There are several modalities of treatment available for that. Small difference may be treated by increasing the thickness of the sole of the shoe. Larger differences require limb shortening procedure of the taller leg in case of tall children and limb lengthening procedure of the shorter leg in case short children. Continue to ask further queries as required. Hope this helps. Take care. Dr Y V Siva Sankara Murty M.D.(Pediatrics) Associate Professor of Pediatrics