Asymmetry is the presence of unequal length between the left and right limbs. It predominantly affects the lower extremities and rarely the upper extremities.
The asymmetry may be due to:
- Congenital disorders
- Fracture of the epiphyseal plate
- Infections
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Unilateral hypertrophy- atrophy
- Neoplasms
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Hip disorders(Perthes, SCFE)
Asymmetry of the lower limbs, apart from the visible motor and aesthetic consequences for the child, also changes the foot biomechanics and as a result the body function.
This results in pain of the lower back (backache), hips, knees, spine and scoliosis.
The clinical examination conducted by the Pediatric Orthopedist reveals the causes of the imbalance and depending on the severity and how early the diagnosis is made so that no concomitant problems have been caused, the treatment is planned:
- Mild asymmetry is treated with individualized pads constructed based on the footprint impression.
- In cases of greater asymmetry, a special anatomical shoe can be used.
- If the asymmetry is up to 4 cm for each bone (thigh or tibia respectively), it is corrected with a temporary method which stops the development of the longest limb after the age of 10.
- Dysplasias with larger asymmetry are treated by lengthening using histogenesis with the Ilizarov method.
