The effect of simulating a leg-length discrepancy on pelvic position and spinal posture

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine how a leg-length discrepancy contributes to the pelvic position and spinal posture. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 20 subjects (10 males, 10 females) were examined during different artificially created leg-length inequalities (0–4 cm) using a platform. The pelvic tilt and torsion and the sagittal deviation of the spine were measured using the rasterstereographic device formetric 4D. [Results] Changes in platform height led to an increase in pelvic tilt and torsion, while no changes in the spinal posture were found with the different simulated leg-length inequalities. [Conclusion] Our study showed that a leg-length discrepancy may cause pelvic deviation and torsion, but may not lead to kyphosis and lordosis. Therefore, we consider that an artificially created leg-length discrepancy has a greater effect on pelvic position than spine position.