Do legs influence back pain? In what way?
They may influenceit in several ways: • The different length of the legs (known as “heterometry of lower limbs) may cause scoliosis postures -lateral deviation of the spine-. In the past, heterometry and scoliosis were believed to always cause back pain, but today we know that scoliosis neither causes nor increases the risk of suffering from back pain unless it is significant -above 60-. Likewise, heterometry does not cause back pain when the difference between the length of either leg is less than 1 cm. It is acknowledged that, if the difference exceeds 2 cms., the risk may be increased, and it is doubtful whether this is the case in differences falling between 1 and 2 cms. Although the studies carried out have not proven that back pain is reduced by placing a raised insole in the shoe of the shorter leg, this is usuallly recommended for those heterometries which exceed 1 cm., to be removed if this should have no effect or prove counterproductive.
