Back pain | Physiotherapy for a difference in leg length

Back pain

Back pain with a difference in leg length is very common. Usually the back pain is the first sign that something is wrong with the pelvis and leg length. Especially the lower back is very sensitive.

Due to the tilted position of the pelvis as a result of the leg length difference, a shifted muscle tone occurs. One side is much more tense than the other. If a trauma, such as bending over, results in increased strain, the pain is usually only really triggered.

The doctor looks at the patient holistically and then usually finds a difference in leg length in the diagnostic findings. The patient is prescribed painkillers or injections and physiotherapy to work on the problems. In the acute phase, the pain is then relieved by massages and mobilization in addition to heat applications. In the later phase, the muscular problems are trained.

Scoliosis

If the affected patient has scoliosis, this is usually the cause of a difference in leg length.Since the spine is not straight but makes a significant curve on one side, the pelvis is tilted accordingly and pulls the leg up with it. In most cases of scoliosis, the difference in leg length is only minimal, so that no change is noticeable when walking. If the scoliosis is more severe, the gait pattern may change.

In scoliosis therapy, there is the Schroth type of therapy, in which the strong side is stretched and the weak side is trained by means of special positions. Therapy usually begins in childhood, as scoliosis is now recognized at an early age. If the scoliosis is not diagnosed until adulthood, the change in the malposition is hardly possible.

In order to avoid the pain and especially the worsening of the scoliosis, however, specific exercises should still be performed. The weak side can be trained with lateral support or hand support, and the strong side can be stretched with rotational positions, such as the rotary-stretching position or C-stretching position. It is important that this is done regularly, whether in childhood or adulthood, in order to avoid deterioration.