Lumbar Spine Structural Changes Associated With Leg Length Inequality

Radiographic asymmetric structural changes in the lumbar spine, which appear to be correlated with pelvic obliquity and the consequent postural lumbar scoliosis, are described in nonacute low-back-pain patients with (i) a leg length difference of greater than 9 mm and (ii) no leg length difference (0-3 mm). With leg length inequality, concavities in the end-plates of lumbar vertebral bodies, wedging of the fifth lumbar vertebrae, and traction spurs appear. No relationship to symptoms is suggested.