How to Assess Leg Length Difference
A normal person may foot strike 3000 times per day - a runner may foot strike 3000 times during a
5 kilometer race in 25 minutes.

Minor muscle and structural imbalances may magnify any soreness or painful condition into an
actual injury - a difference in leg length or a difference in muscle length.  Physical therapists refer
to muscle length differences as muscle imbalance.

Watch these videos to see how physical therapists assess structural and muscle length differences
in runners.
The Q-angle is the angle from the hip to the knee.

It is larger in females.

Large and uneven Q-angles can predict injuries in runners.

The larger angle at the hip may cause the following:

  1. Hip Trochanteric Bursitis
  2. Ilio-tibial Band Friction syndrome
  3. Plica syndrome

At the knee, a large Q-angle may cause:

  1. Patellar tracking problems
  2. Knee Meniscus tears

At the ankle, a large Q-angle may cause:

  1. Excessive foot pronation
  2. Plantarfasciitis
  3. Achilles tendonitis

A large Q-angle is often managed by training modification,
footwear and by physical therapy.

Exercise management would involve training the hip external
rotator muscles.  See our video 'How to Strengthen the Hip
External Rotators'.

Get your Q-angle measured by a physical therapist - call our
clinic to set up an appointment.
Medical Arts Rehabilitation, Inc.
Palmetto, Florida
(941) 729-1800
Medical Arts Rehabilitation ,Inc.
Physical Therapy Videos