LOWER LIMB LENGTH DISCREPANCIES WITH PELVIC TILT AND CORONAL DEFORMITY OF THE SPINE

Abstract

Objective. To analyze a prevalence of coronal static deformities of the spine, their structure and biomechanical origin. Material and Methods. The method of computer optical topography was used in examination of 1,000 children and adolescents to detect spine deformity and lower limbs length discrepancy. Results. Out of children with coronal deformity of the spine up to 10 degrees 86 % have small discrepancy between lower limbs with left limb shortening, and 10 % – with right limb shortening. The main causes of the lower limb shortening were determined. Cause-effect relation of knee recurvation with shortening of a relative length of the limb, pelvic tilt, and formation of a functional spinal curve. Conclusion. A small discrepancy is a consequence of lumboiliac muscle contracture, lower limb recurvation, and its idiopathic shortening. Shortening of one limb causes a lateral pelvic tilt, as the spine to maintan its vertical axis forms a compensatory curvature due to change of static and dynamic state of spinal-pelvic obliquity.