• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.9-14
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• 2014

Background: This study aims to examine correlations between quadriceps angle, lower extremity muscle strength and leg length discrepancy. Methods: This study selected 96 healthy women university students as the subjects of research. Quadriceps angle, lower extremity muscle strength and leg length discrepancy were measured. The statistical analysis of the data SPSS/window (version 12.0) were analyzed using the pearson correlation analysis. Results: There were negative correlations between the muscle strength of the right hamstring muscles and the right quadriceps angle in supine and standing positions. Functional leg length discrepancy of left and right quadriceps angle in supine and standing position showed positive correlations. Conclusions: The quadriceps angle affect the knee. An abnormal angle caused weakening of balance. Muscle strength, leg length discrepancy, and affected lower extremity alignment and knee function. These conclusions may prevent exercise limitation or disorders in the subjects and treating the patients with knee injury or patellofemoral pain syndrome with basic therapy intervention.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.368-371
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of leg length discrepancy on kinematic changes of the pelvis and hip during gait. Methods: A total of ten healthy women with no history of neurological, musculoskeletal surgery or injuries, or pain in the lower limbs were recruited. They were assigned to two groups; the experimental group (LLD) consisting of five subjects leg length discrepancy of 10mm to 18mm and the control group (CON) consisting of five subjects leg length discrepancy of<10 mm. All participants were instructed to perform three walking trials for further analysis by using the Cortex 3.0 software program. Independent T-test and Mann-Whitney test were used to examine the effects of mild LLD on kinematic changes of the pelvis and hip during gait. Results: Angles of hip flexion, hip abduction, pelvic obliquity, and pelvic tilt in the experimental group were not significantly different compared to those of the control group. Conclusion: Mild leg length discrepancy induces kinematic changes in the lower limbs, including decreased hip flexion, increased hip abduction, and increased pelvic obliquity in the shorter limb, and increased hip adduction and increased pelvic obliquity in the longer limb. However, those changes were not significant.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.101-113
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of leg length discrepancy (LLD) on the human body during gait and standing posture. Methods: The study group comprised of 17 adult participants with LLDs of <1 cm. LLDs were artificially induced to 0, 1, 2, and 3 cm. The proportion of weight distribution, shift of the mean center of pressure, and Cobb's angle were measured in the standing position. Kinematic variables such as walking and striding width and time, and the proportion of stance phase for single- and double-limb gait were measured as well. The participants were required to either stand or walk on a treadmill (Zebris FDM) with a pressure plate, and the Cobb's angle measurements were obtained from radiographs. Results: A discrepancy of 3 cm in leg length resulted in a statistically significant shift of the center of pressure in the standing position. Moreover, the Cobb angle increased as the discrepancy became larger. The step length and width of the longer (left) leg during gait statistically significantly increased when the discrepancy was 2 cm. In addition, step time was statistically significant when the discrepancy between the longer (right) and shorter (left) legs was more than 2 cm. The proportion of single-limb stance phase was statistically significant as the discrepancy became larger, especially when the discrepancy was >2 cm for the longer (right) leg and 1 cm for the shorter (right) leg. Conclusion: The study showed that LLD influenced deformations of the human body and walking.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 1998

A limb-sparing operation has a definitive role in the treatment of osteosarcoma in the lower extremity of skeletally-immature patients. After a limb-sparing operation, leg length discrepancy remains as a major disability that should be corrected. This study was designed to suggest methods of tumor resection and proper timing of leg length equalization in skeletally immature osteosarcoma patients. From September 1990 to January 1998, we reviewed eight osteosarcoma patients in an immature skeletal age. There were 4 males and 4 females, and their mean duration of follow-up was 50.37 months (range : 25 to 88 months). Mean skeletal age was 8 years (range : 8 months to 11 years). The patients were classified according to the methods of tumor resection ; intercalary resection in 1 case, transepiphyseal resection in 1, intra-articular resection in 5, and extra-articular resection in 1. The results were as follows ; 1. The leg lengthening was begun when a patient's leg length discrepancy reached 4-5cm. 2. The age of final lengthening with permanent reconstruction was 14 years in males and 12 years in females (about 2 years before skeletal maturity). 3. When reconstruction was performed with a temporary spacer, the site of lengthening Was in the soft tissue, not in bone, and then a permanant reconstruction was done. 4. Reconstruction with a biologic spacer to preserve the joint function was a reasonable method for equalization of leg length. In conclusion, the appropriate choice of reconstructive method and the age at which to correct the leg length discrepancy in a skeletally-immature osteosarcoma patients are important factors for maintaining leg length at full maturity.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study was to realize the relations between gluteus medius, tensor fascia lata of pelvic muscles and functional leg length in women's university students. This study is examined the change of electromyographic activation on gluteus medius and tensor fascia lata according to the leg length discrepancy. Methods: All of the female of freshman and sophomore in 'D'college were gathered and separated fourteen of healthy women in two groups by functional leg length discrepancy. and The subjects divided into two groups that the difference with less than 2cm or more would have structural defects by tapeline. The electromyographic activation on the gluteus medius and tensor fascia lata muscles were recorded by surface electrodes at maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) during lunge posture. The collected datas were analyzed using Independent t-test with SPSS win19.0. Results: In intergroup comparison of electromyographic activation levels for gluteus medius and tensor fascia lata in short or long leg, the influence of electromyographic activation on tensor fascia lata is shown to be more statically higher than gluteus medius according to functional leg length discrepancy in coeds. Even though both muscles are shown to be statistically higher in comparison of electoromyographic activation levels for tensor fascia lata and gluteus medius between short leg and long leg in Group I, Differences of electoromyographic activation levels for tensor fascia lata is shown to be statistically higher than gluteus medius. Conclusion: Through this study, we realized that tensor fascia lata than the long leg, and also, tensor fascia lata is significantly effective for functional leg length discrepancy than gluteus medius. It leads to pelvic lateral instability. This means that cause tensor fascia lata to have a leg length discrepancy.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.213-222
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• 2004

Objectives : To investigate contributing degree of other factors except pelvic tilting to F.L.L.D by analizing with Gonstead technique on the correlation between femur head height discrepancy on the standing pelvic AP view and F.L.L.D caused by pelvic tilting. Method : We analysed standing pelvis AP X-ray of 70 patients who had visited at the department acupunture and moxibustion in Conmaul oriental medical hospital, during May, 1st, 2004 - July, 30th, 2004, with low back pain or lower extremity pain. We excluded the person with any past history of polio, genetic defect, malunited fracture, growth plate injury, infection and overgrowth attributable to hemangioma, or arteriovenous fistula. Results & Conclusion : The functional leg length discrepancy caused by pelvic tilting and femur head height difference had no statistical difference(p=0.132) but poorly correlated(Pearson ${\nu}=0.05$). In the 94.28% of subjects, the femur head height difference wasn't in accord with F.L.L.D. caused by pelvic tilting. In 47.14% of subjects were expected to have over $3^{mm}$ of leg length discrepancy after pelvic adjustment. The mean of measurement difference between two methods was $3.76{\pm}3.12^{mm}$ and the range was $0{\sim}11.4^{mm}$. Consequently, we must consider not only functional leg length discrepancy caused by pelvic tilting but also anatomical leg length discrepancy, misalignment of ankle, knee or hip joint etc.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2020

Background: The leg length discrepancy (LLD) have been implicated with degenerative diseases since the early 1970s, which also causes musculoskeletal asymmetry problems. The LLD appears due to factors such as balance ability, response time, and muscle strength between the shorter and longer leg. In this study, the effect of manual therapy to LLD has been studied. Methods: Manual therapy has been applied on shorter leg of 30 patients with LLD. The manual therapy was conducted for 2~3 minutes 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Results: The leg length of shorter leg were measured at initial baseline and after 4 weeks. the average leg length of shorter leg increased from 94.10 cm to 94.33 cm. Conclusion: This paper reports that the manual therapy has positive effects on LLD. It was studied by conducting manual therapy on muscles and joints related to shorter leg. In the future, the muscles and joints of the longer leg should be considered and various age group should be studied to develop the understanding of the effect of manual therapy on LLD.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.2197-2202
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• 2020

Background: If there is a difference in leg length, the center of gravity shifts unilaterally toward the short leg, causing loss of balance and secondary postural imbalance, trunk muscle tone changes, gait abnormalities and pelvic imbalance. Objectives: To investigate effects of self exercise program on leg length, balance in adults with leg-length discrepancy. Design: Single blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-eight participants were selected and divided into resistance exercise, flexibility exercise, and core exercise. Each exercise was performed for 40 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Leg length and balance before and after exercise were measured and analyzed. Results: Following the interventions, resistance exercise group showed significant improvement in balance, but leg length difference did not show significant results. Flexibility exercise group showed significant improvement in leg length difference, but balance did not show significant results. Core exercise group showed significant improvement in leg length difference and balance. There was no significant difference in the comparison between the three groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that customized exercise according to the patient's level is beneficial to the patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.391-399
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the three-dimensional moment values of the hip joint for subjects with artificial leg length alterations and subjects with unaltered leg lengths. Methods: Forty-two healthy adults (8 men, 34 women) participated in this study. The selected subjects were able to walk normally, had less than a 1 cm leg length discrepancy, and were instructed to wear shoes that fit their feet. The study participants performed 8 dynamic gait trails to measure the hip joint moment using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Kinetic and dynamic three-dimensional gait analysis data were collected from infrared cameras, and a force plate was used to standardize the weight of each subject. Results: There were significant correlations between the differences in the leg length discrepancy during right extension, right flexion, right internal rotation, and left extension in hip joint moments (p<0.05). There were significant correlations between the differences in shoe conditions during left extension, right flexion, right extension, and right internal rotation in the hip moments (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that a leg length discrepancy can affect hip joint moment, which may further exacerbate musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis in lower extremity joints. Therefore, further studies should be conducted to verify the impact of clinical interventions on differences in hip joint moment values to correct leg length discrepancies and prevent osteoarthritis in lower extremity joints.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.267-273
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• 2018

Purpose: Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is one of the risk factors for postural imbalance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of induced leg length discrepancy on the limitation of stability (LOS) and static postural balance. Methods: Thirteen adults (males, 7; females 6) participated in this study. The LOS and static postural balance [sway length, sway area, and sway velocity of center of gravity (COG) displacement] were measured by the balance trainer system. The subjects were asked to move the COG for the anterior, posterior, and left and right directions maximally and to keep standing on the platform with and without induced LLD for 30 s in the open and closed eyes conditions, respectively. The LLD was artificially induced to 2 cm using insole. Wilcoxon test was used to compare the LOS and the static postural balance between with and without induced LLD. Results: The anterior and posterior LOS significantly decreased in induced LLD (p<0.05), and the left and right LOS were not significantly different between with and without LLD (p>0.05). Sway length, sway area, and sway velocity of the COG displacement significantly decreased in induced LLD (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that induced LLD could decease the antero-posterior LOS and increased the static postural balance. Therefore, the LLD could disturb the postural balance.