Scoliosis Caused by Limb-Length Discrepancy in Children
- Author:
Kazuyoshi KOBAYASHI
1
;
Kei ANDO
;
Hiroaki NAKASHIMA
;
Masaaki MACHINO
;
Masayoshi MOROZUMI
;
Shunsuke KANBARA
;
Sadayuki ITO
;
Taro INOUE
;
Hidetoshi YAMAGUCHI
;
Kenichi MISHIMA
;
Naoki ISHIGURO
;
Shiro IMAGAMA
Author Information
- Publication Type:Clinical Study
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2020;14(6):801-807
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Methods:The subjects were 23 children with LLD ≥20 mm (range, 27–65 mm) treated at Nagoya University Hospital between 2007 and 2017. Whole spine posteroanterior standing radiographs and whole lower limb radiographs in a supine position were recorded. Data were collected for demographics, LLD, Cobb angle, pelvic obliquity, and Nash/Moe index. Scoliosis was defined as a Cobb angle ≥10°. Leg length was measured from the top of the femoral head to the middle of the tibial plafond, and LLD was defined as the difference between the left and right leg lengths.
Results:The patients (nine males and 14 females) had a mean age of 14.0 years (range, 5–18 years). The average LLD was 44.3±17.2 mm, with LLDs of 20 to 39 mm, 40 to 59 mm, and ≥60 mm in 13, five, and five subjects, respectively. The average Cobb angle was 13.0°±7.0°, and 15 subjects (65%) had scoliosis. Convexity of the scoliosis was to the short leg side in all cases. The Cobb angle was significantly related to the severity of the LLD (R=0.736, p<0.01), pelvic obliquity (R=0.966, p<0.01), and Nash/Moe index (p<0.05).
Conclusions:LLD is a common pediatric condition that can cause scoliosis of the spine. Severe scoliosis may develop if the LLD is ≥30 mm. Long-term studies are needed to examine the effect of LLD resolution on the elimination of scoliosis.
