In-depth Hip/Leg/Foot Analysis

Ischial Length Inequality

Ischial, or pelvic lifts are pads used while seated. Their purpose is to level the sacrum, or 5th lumbar in the sitting posture. The result is a straighter spine with less shear stress through the posterior vertebral joints.

Leg Length Inequality

One of the common causes of Low back pain is Leg-Length Inequality (LLI). LLI is when one leg is shorter than the other. Many podiatrists measure LLI by taking a tape measure and measuring each leg. We believe this method causes a lot of false positives and find that taking an x- ray of your pelvic region gives us a much more accurate reading. The x-ray shows us more precisely where the short leg is rather than feeling for the bone through muscle and tissue and estimating where the measuring points are. Once we find the leg-length discrepancy, we will shoot a follow-up x-ray while the patient wears the proper heel-lift to determine if that corrects the LLI. Most people experience pain relief within a few days or less when wearing a heal lift. Sometimes, depending on the size of the LLI, wearing a heal lift may also help correct abnormal posture.

Orthotics by Sole Supports

Orthotics are used for people who not only suffer from foot problems but also from knee and low back pain as well. Orthotics can be prescribed for people who have bunions, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, during pregnancy, for children and for many other reasons as well. We prescribe orthotics from a company named Sole Support. Sole Support makes the only orthotics that are calibrated to match your weight, foot flexibility, and activity level. They focus on the arch of the foot being in correct posture. When in correct posture, it allows the arch to have the support needed to function properly and reduce pain. There is research that supports the ideas behind Sole Supports.

Research:

http://www.solesupports.com/oldsite/Miscellaneous%20Documents/hodgsonEtAl_JSRarticle.pdf