Leg length discrepancy in the professional dancer

Abstract

Minor leg length discrepancies may not pose much of a problem in the general population, but in the dance population they should not be overlooked as a predisposing factor in overuse syndromes commonly found among dancers. The popular treatment of prescribing lift therapy is often inappropriate in this population as the patient may not wear a shoe during dance or may refuse a lift in their shoe as it interferes with the ‘feel’ of the floor. The key to successful treatment in the dancer is a thorough biomechanical evaluation and analysis of compensatory mechanisms. In this article, clinical evaluation of leg length discrepancy, common compensatory mechanisms, and clinical management in the dancer are discussed. An illustrative case study is presented to highlight some of the points made.