Anyone have a short leg?

I've noticed my left leg was shorter than my right since high school. I think I first figured it out when I was doing deadlifts. I didn't really think it mattered until 2 months ago. We walked about 8-10 miles one day on vacation. Afterwards my right hip was in so much pain I was limping for 3 days. I think my hip had always hurt after hiking or lots of walking, but never this bad. I walk 3 miles every sunday & after each walk now I notice that my hip hurts.

I'm worried about having future hip or back problems if I don't fix the problem. I tried putting a insert in my left shoe, but it didn't help. I've read it's probably because the leg is only functionally shorter. So it's more about the way my pelvis is tilted or something like that.

Anyone have experience with this?

Do I go to a chiropractor? Ostiopathic doctor? I'm also worried about spending a bunch of money & not feeling any better.

UPDATE

I learned as a Duke grad student I can get a PT evaluation at student health for free.

Here is what I learned:

My legs are the same length, but one appears shorter because my hips are out of alignment. From hip to ankle the length is the same, but from belly button to ankle it's different. So a lift in the shoe won't help. I need to correct the alignment.

the pain in my hip is probably a bursitis (sp?). Like when you aggrivate your shoulder. I need to let it rest & ice it.

I need to stengthen my hips & losen up my tight IT band (the muscle that runs from the hip to the knee.)

I have had problems with a tight IT band before. The tops of my knees hurt when i did aerobics. The way my instructor told me to stretch is was wrong & I was actually making it tighter.

I'm going to work on my core more. I do pilates, but I'm going to start doing some yoga too. I need to lay off the pilates moves that could aggrivate my hip for a while so I'll do more core instead. I'm going to do my exercises for my hip & stretch my IT band often. I'm also going to shift myself to stand up straight when I can think about it. Oh & no more slouching.

I'm also getting good arch supports for my shoes. My arch looks high, but I feel flat footed & have to wear really comfortable shoes. She said my arch goes away when I stand.

It was a lot of fun learning so much about myself in a quick appoitment. I now understand why I have certain pain & know some things I can do to prevent it. I'm going back later for my back. It seems like the hip thing is more about my back than legs.

Hmm, I've never noticed this but I do walk funny. I was once asked if I have flat feet, which I don't, I actually have a pretty high arch.

Any how, you should see a doctor. Sorry, I'm not much help.

Morgan I have this exact problem and I have only recently starting seeing a chiropractor. Basically, the leg being shorter is a response to something else going on with your alignment. My hips are quite a bit off from eachother (a few centemeters) which will affect your legs and back as well. I also have a few vertibraes that are starting to fuse a bit on my lower spine. I didn't find any of this out until a few months ago after I was having ridculous hip pain on my right side after I would do hard runs or walks/workouts. Squats really hurt alot as well. My chiropractor says I have mild scoliosis and it is possibly something I've had since birth or a very young age. You should go and see a chiropractor asap. I can't belive I waited so long to awknowlege how much pain my hips had. I figured I had just worked out too much. Anyways.....long story, but that is how it started for me too. Every time I go in he measures if the difference in my legs has changed at all. It is helping so much to see him on a weekly basis. I was pissed at first because I felt like the girl who is in perfect health....and then to find out I'm all off in alignment was maddening! Good luck...let me know if you have any questions.

Your alignment is probably out. My chiropractor once said one of my legs was over 1/2 shorter due to my pelvis. They can totally put you back in place and you will feel so much better.

I had severe neck pain for a lot of years- which prompted me to see the chiropractor in the first place. It was amazing to see xrays of my neck- due to whiplash, it bent the opposite of the natural curvator in the neck. It was crazy to see. I was like No wonder I hurt!

That's why I love it here...just when I was thinking I don't know how to help you, Amy and Rachel come in with first hand experience. I hope you feel better soon )

morgan if your insurance wont cover a chiropractor, they SHOULD cover a visit to an orthopaedic specialist. depending on the kind of insurance you have (like HMO versus a PPO) you may need your general physician's referral to see a specialist.

Well since I live outside of the city and my group health coverage area I have to pay cash, but I'm on a sliding scale and only pay 29.00 per visit. It is by far worth it to spend the money on your health. I was kind of thrown off at first about spending that every week, but I feel tremendously better. He said if I don't get it taken care of now I could have a lot of issues later in life....especially with carrying a baby...so it was a no brainer....I'd spend double or tripple!

I suggest a doctors visit before you head off to see a chiropractor. Your allignment being off and scoliosis are very, very different things which need different treatment's. If it scoliosis you can not have a chiropractor manipulate you back into alignment as it is the way you spine has formed and is much more complicated then the other. This is what my daughter Nicole has, and unfortunately is why she is now in a wheelchair after opting for a serious surgery to put rods in her back that ended up puncturing her spinal chord. Before this she led a normal life had a fusion of the spinal chord that stopped the curve from getting any worse, and she wore a lift on her shoe, there are exercises that a physio therapist can reccomend to you to help with the scoliosis. Anyway my whole point in this response is please see a doctor before you see a chiropractor and get a proper diagnosis, if you don't a chiroprator could do you more harm then good.