Abstract
Introduction: Regarding leg length difference (LLD), there are two concepts, one is functional leg length difference (FLLD) and the other is an anatomical leg length difference (ALLD). FLLD is defined as a difference of the right and left height of the apex of the femoral head. ALLD is defined as a difference of the right and left sum of the femoral and tibial length. The LLD is recognized as a cause of the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate relationship FLLD and ALLD in AIS patients.
Materials and Methods: We analyzed 215 AIS patients who presented to our hospital between January 1, 2007 and August 31, 2021. A difference of 10 mm or more was defined as having LLD. The relationships between FLLD and ALLD were analyzed using Student t test and regression analysis.
Results: The study group included 90.2% female, and the overall average age was 16.3 years. FLLD and ALLD was present in 4.6% and 6.0%, respectively. Among all cases, the maximum FLLD and ALLD was 14.0 mm and 18.2 mm, respectively. The mean value of FLLD and ALLD was 3.8 mm and 4.0 mm, respectively. There was no association between FLLD and ALLD (p=0.13), and a statistically significant correlation between FLLD and ALLD in all cases (r=0.882, p<0.01).
Conclusion: There was no significant difference between FLLD and ALLD the among AIS patients. Meanwhile, there was a statistically significant correlation between FLLD and ALLD. We might consider to take lower limbs Xp for those cases.
