Leg Length Difference (LLD): Assessment and Clinical
Implications (Recorded Webinar)

Presented by Cindy Marti

Leg Length Difference (LLD): Assessment and Clinical Implications (Recorded Webinar)
Video Runtime: 73 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 23 Minutes

This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard Medbridge courses.

Leg length difference (LLD) is an underrecognized yet frequently occurring condition in the US that may impact the quality of life for many patients. There is a lack of consensus and consistency in clinical education and practice when assessing and treating LLD using reliable measures. The course will give an overview of clinical and radiological measurement for LLD in order to help physical therapists make informed, evidence-based decisions in using shoe lifts in their clinical practice. Several case examples will be given to illustrate how patients benefited from the use of shoe lifts for LLD. Practical tips will be shared on shoe lift types, patient response, and variables for compliance.

Learning Outcomes
  • Complete a clinical screening for leg length difference (LLD)
  • Prepare a referral for radiological measurement of LLD in order to differentiate between structural and functional LLD
  • Implement shoe lifts for patients with structural leg length discrepancy, including monitoring of patient compliance
  • Analyze patient responses to the use of shoe lifts and make necessary adjustments in the prescription of the lifts
  • Analyze patient case examples to determine when and how shoe lifts should be prescribed to manage leg length discrepancy

Meet your instructor

A woman smiles against a white background, promoting medbridge in a red shirt and necklace.

Cindy Marti

Cindy Marti began her career at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton in 1986. In 1989 she joined Milwaukee-based Competitive Edge Sports Medicine and became part of the management team in 1991. In 1994, after Competitive Edge became part of NovaCare, Cindy became General Manager of the Wisconsin region. In 1996, Cindy stepped…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Assessment of Leg Length Difference

1. Assessment of Leg Length Difference

This chapter will provide an overview of LLD clinical screening techniques commonly used in the physical therapy setting, with discussion on reliability and validity of these techniques. The student will be educated on evidence-based radiological measurement for LLD.

Intervention

2. Intervention

This chapter will provide an overview of different shoe lifts for patients with LLD. Students will learn how to assess patient response and encourage compliance with the use of shoe lifts.

Patient Cases

3. Patient Cases

This chapter will illustrate different cases with successful diagnosis and implementation of shoe lifts for the management of various spinal conditions.

Question and Answer Session

4. Question and Answer Session

This chapter is a viewer-submitted question and answer session. Questions are answered by Cindy Marti, the instructor of this course.

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