Abstract
Background: The effect of Leg-Length Discrepancy (LLD) on dynamic gait parameters has been extensively discussed. Podobarography is the study of foot-to-ground pressure distribution. It has been used to test plantar footprint deviations that could reveal pathology. Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of simulated LLD on dynamic gait parameters measured with a pressure platform in healthy subjects. Methods: Thirty-seven healthy subjects participated in observational cross-sectional research. A procedure was performed to capture the dynamic parameters of each participant under five different simulated LLD conditions. Support time, mean pressure, and peak pressure measures were registered on three trials for each foot and LLD level per session. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for repeated measures was performed to check for differences between the different simulated LLD levels. Results: The stance time of the short leg had no significant changes. The stance time of the long leg increased by 3.51% (p < 0.001), mean pressure of the short leg increased by 1.23% (p = 0.005), and decreased by 5.89% in the long leg (p < 0.001). Peak pressure of the short leg decreased by 2.58% (p = 0.031) and the long leg decreased by 12.11% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that increasing LLD causes an asymmetrical foot-loading pattern, with decreased mean and peak pressure on the longer limb, and consequently an overload on the short side. Furthermore, an increasing LLD causes increased stance time on the long leg.
Highlights
In the two sessions, coefficient of variation (CoV), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC) were expressed as percentages of the mean
The measurements were reproducible for an individual even if repeated during the same test session or when tested seven days later
Bonferroni was used to MDC, were calculated for the first session
Summary
Leg-length discrepancy (LLD) is a condition frequently described in the literature as the unequal length of lower limbs. It is estimated to involve 40–70% of the population and can exceed 2 cm of inequality in close to 0.1% [1]. Knutson et al concluded in a metaanalysis of 573 subjects that only 10% of the population had equal-length lower limbs [2]. LLD has been a cause of controversy in the clinical and research community for a long time. There is no agreement on many facets, such as its impact on various neuromusculoskeletal disorders, assessment of measurement methods, prevalence, and the degree of its clinical significance [3]
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