A discrepancy in leg length, generally caused by a disease or fracture that interferes with normal bone growth during childhood. Possible causes include poliomyelitis or a fracture that crossed the long bone’s growing end in the thighbone or shinbone of one leg during childhood. If the shinbone (tibia) is affected, the shortening of the leg is called a tibial length discrepancy; if the thighbone (femur) is affected, it is called a femoral length discrepancy. A true leg-length discrepancy can be determined by a n orthopedist’s measurement of t he legs. When both legs are of equal length but one leg appears shorter, called an apparent leg-length discrepancy, the condition may be caused by irregularities in the hip muscles (pelvic tilt).
The condition of leg shortening commonly arises from improper mending of a fractured femur (thigh bone) or tibia (shin bone). Additionally, it can stem from congenital anomalies, leg surgeries, or weakened muscles due to conditions like poliomyelitis or other neurological disorders.