Limb Length Inequality Johns Hopkins Medicine COVID-19 Updates Masks are required inside all of our care facilities. We are vaccinating all eligible patients. Learn more: Vaccines, Boosters & Additional Doses Testing Patient Care Visitor Guidelines Coronavirus Email Alerts Find more COVID-19 testing locations on Maryland.gov. CloseSearch Submit Search Popular Searches coronavirus careers medical records map insurance accepted telemedicine Menu Health Limb Length Inequality Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Share on Pinterest Share via Email Print this Page What You Need to Know Fractures, trauma to a growth plate, infections and genetic conditions or syndromes can all cause limb length inequality in children. Medical history, physical exam and X-rays are used to diagnose limb length inequality. Treatment for limb length inequality depends on the condition's severity and the amount of growing the child has left to do. Nonoperative and operative treatment options are available. What is limb length inequality Limb length inequality is when one leg or arm is shorter than the other. This can be caused by a previous fracture, trauma to a growth plate or a previous infection. Genetic conditions or syndromes can also result in one limb being longer than the other. While a difference in arm length doesn’t typically affect the function of the arms, a discrepancy in leg length can cause problems with walking and other activities. What are the symptoms of limb length inequality Gait (pattern of walking) abnormality, such as a limp Knee, hip or back pain Apparent scoliosis (curvature of the spine) Limb Length Inequality Diagnosis A detailed medical history and physical examination will be performed by a pediatric orthopaedist if your doctor suspects that your child has limb length inequality. The doctor will recommend a series of X-rays. Standing limb length X-rays are used to evaluate the length and angulation of each bone in the lower leg to determine where the length difference originates. Bone age X-rays are used to estimate how much growth remains — this helps determine the total limb length inequality and the timing of treatment. Limb Length Inequality Treatment Specific treatment plans should be tailored for each child’s unique condition. Several treatment options are available, based on the severity of the length inequality and remaining growth. If the leg length discrepancy is mild, a shoe lift or special orthopaedic shoes may be enough to treat the condition. If the limb length inequality is moderate, more complex procedures may be needed. These may include slowing the growth of the longer leg permanently or temporarily with a physeal arrest or epiphysiodesis procedure to allow the bones in the short limb to catch up. Another approach is to lengthen the shorter leg by cutting the short bone into two segments and slowly pulling them apart to allow new bone to form between them. Find a Doctor Specializing In: Scoliosis Spinal Deformities Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Congenital Spine Disorders Pediatric Orthopaedics See More At Another Johns Hopkins Member Hospital: Howard County General Hospital Sibley Memorial Hospital Suburban Hospital Find a Treatment Center Pediatric Neurosurgery Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Physical Therapy See More Find Additional Treatment Centers at: Howard County General Hospital Sibley Memorial Hospital Suburban Hospital Related Kyphosis Schroth Method for Scoliosis 5 Facts about Scoliosis Every Parent Should Know Infantile Idiopathic Scoliosis Request an Appointment Find a Doctor Find a Doctor See More Related Scoliosis Kyphosis Schroth Method for Scoliosis Schroth Method for Scoliosis Scoliosis 5 Facts about Scoliosis Every Parent Should Know Related Topics