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Shortening of the leg (apparent)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Apparent shortening occurs when one leg appears to be shorter than the other but there is no loss of bone length and the apparent discrepancy is due to a defect in the pelvis or the spine. Spinal causes, for example scoliosis, are more common than true pelvic deformity.

Apparent leg length is measured from any convenient midline structure - such as the pubic symphysis or xiphisternum - to the medial malleolus.

For example:

  • fixed adduction deformity of the hip: the limbs are usually crossed and when made parallel, cause the pelvis to tip upwards - the limb on the affected side appears to be shorter

  • fixed abduction deformity: when the limbs are made parallel, that on the affected side now seems longer

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