APPARENT LEG-LENGTH DISCREPANCY TEST

TEST POSITIONING

The client lies supine with hips and knees extended and parallel.

Each leg should be perpendicular to a straight line between both anterior superior iliac spines.

ACTION

With a tape measure, the therapist measures from the umbilicus to the most distal point of the medial malleolus.

POSITIVE FINDING

A difference of more than 1 cm is indicative of abnormal pelvic positioning.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/COMMENTS

Significant discrepancies should be verified via radiography, as this is the most accurate method of assessing apparent (functional) leg length discrepancies.