An additional note to last weeks blog. What do you do with a structural short leg in a child?
Often during growth a child may present with a true short leg. It used to be thought that in these circumstances the child should be left alone and the legs may correct in length with continued growth. However, studies have shown that introducing a temporary heel lift is more likely to stimulate a leveling of the leg length as this restores normal weight bearing and therefore normal pressure on the growth plates. If a short leg appears and it is not dealt with in this manner, studies have shown that a greater discrepancy is likely to occur as the child continues to grow.
Often during growth a child may present with a true short leg. It used to be thought that in these circumstances the child should be left alone and the legs may correct in length with continued growth. However, studies have shown that introducing a temporary heel lift is more likely to stimulate a leveling of the leg length as this restores normal weight bearing and therefore normal pressure on the growth plates. If a short leg appears and it is not dealt with in this manner, studies have shown that a greater discrepancy is likely to occur as the child continues to grow.
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