You closely follow your child’s development, almost looking into his eyes. Well, have you ever looked at the footprints? Or have you thought that when one pair of shoes is full and the other is a little tight, there may be an orthopedic problem underlying it? Acıbadem Taksim Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Prof. Dr. Levent Eralp says that the shortness of one leg compared to the other (limb shortness) in children is a common problem, but shortnesses of less than 2 cm may not be noticed unless carefully looked at. For this reason, Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Prof., who advises families to observe their children carefully, especially after bathing or while walking on the beach. Dr. Levent Eralp made statements about short legs (limb) in children and made important warnings and suggestions.
Did you know that the fact that one leg is shorter than the other can also lie under the complaints of low back pain, which is very common in our society? Well, one of the shoes you bought is normal and the other foot tightening may be due to the same reason? Some problems that seem normal or even unnoticed in daily life can only emerge with the careful observation of families! Acıbadem Taksim Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Prof. Dr. At this point, Levent Eralp stated that parents should carefully observe their children without attracting their attention and causing psychological discomfort and said, “Uneven leg length (limb shortness) is one of the diseases that can only be understood as a result of these careful observations. Since it does not cause any visible changes in daily life, a single leg shortness of up to 2 cm is usually not noticed.” says. prof. Dr. Levent Eralp says: “In the problem called short leg, we are talking about the whole limb from the hip to the tip of the finger. There may be a disorder that causes a single leg shortness in one or more parts of the body. A study conducted in America reveals a striking fact; A public health officer is appointed to high schools by the state. When female staff examine all female students visually, they find that many of them have back curvatures that had never been noticed before. Thus, the rate of scoliosis, which is 4-5 percent, suddenly increases approximately 3 times. In other words, in some skeletal system changes or disorders, there may be inconspicuous problems that the family does not care about because they do not interfere with daily life. However, since these tend to increase in childhood, diagnosis should not be delayed. The problem with scoliosis also applies to the shortness of one leg.”
Look carefully at the footprint!
Stating that there is a difference in length between the right and left legs or arms, it is called short limb. Dr. Levent Eralp says that a length difference of less than 5 cm between the arms will not cause impairment of use, except for appearance, therefore, short limbs can cause various problems when experienced mostly in the legs. The shortness of one leg; Stating that congenital bone diseases, previous accidents, bone inflammations in childhood, rheumatic or neurological diseases can cause. Dr. Levent Eralp says, “Look carefully at your child’s footprints,” and explains: “Parents should carefully look at their children’s bodies during the winter bath, and compare both footprints after they get out of the bath, in order to realize the shortness of one leg, which is a common problem in our society! The child comes out of the bathroom and steps on the floor with wet feet, but the footprints of both feet are not the same. If you don’t pay attention you will miss it, but if you pay attention you will see it. Or, if the prints of the two feet of the child are different from each other while walking on the beach in the summer, you can detect that the child has one leg shortness. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the footprints of the child and whether there is any limping, especially when walking slowly.”
Treatment methods in one leg short!
Saying that parents should not try to measure their children’s legs with a tape measure, because this would be misleading, Prof. Dr. Levent Eralp emphasizes that they should only observe and consult a physician when necessary. Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Prof. Dr. Levent Eralp explains the treatment methods of single leg shortness up to 2 cm, between 2-5 cm and over 5 cm: Removal is the most appropriate treatment. In the difference between 2-5 cm, surgical treatment is necessary. In this case, in children, either the short side is lengthened or the elongation of the long side is slowed down in order to equalize the length of the two limbs. The physician should decide on the appropriate technique by evaluating factors such as the underlying disease and the time remaining for height growth. If it is more than 5 cm; It is absolutely necessary to lengthen the short side, but the technique should be decided with the evaluations of the physician.”
From low back pain to joint calcifications!
Emphasizing that the difference in leg length, even if it is shorter than 2 cm, can cause low back pain complaints, Prof. Dr. Levent Eralp “Ankle, knee, hip and waist are basically like gear wheels working in harmony with each other, they work in an orderly manner. However, if one of these gears does not rotate in harmony with the others, it wears the teeth of the others over time. Therefore, even shortnesses of less than 2 cm that do not require surgical treatment can cause low back pain and joint calcification over time. warns. Stating that parents should pay attention to the well-known mistakes and stay away from them in case of single leg shortness in their children, Prof. Dr. Levent Eralp, for example; He warns that methods such as jumping rope, playing hopscotch, swinging one foot forward have no effect on leg lengthening, but may lead to a delay in treatment.
Source: (BYZHA) – Beyaz News Agency
