Anatomical Concept of Lower Limb Length

Question 1

Which 2 parts of skeletal apparatus contribute to the majority of human height?

Answer 1

• Vertebral column
• Femur

Question 2

What does changing water content of IVDs mean for height?

Answer 2

• Water content of IVDs changes within a 24h cycle
• Therefore so does height

Question 3

How frequently should height be measured clinically?

Answer 3

• 3 times a day (once every 8 hours)
• Average calculated

Question 4

What is apparent length of the lower limb?

Answer 4

Length measured between the umbilicus and medial malleolus

Question 5

What is true length of the lower limb?

Answer 5

Length measured between ASIS and medial malleolus

Question 6

What is it called when apparent/true lower limb length is not the same in each limb?

Answer 6

Apparent/true limb length discrepancy

Question 7

Causes of apparent shortening of the lower limb

Answer 7

• Posterior hip dislocation
• Congenital cause of hip dislocation
• Tilt of hip due to other causes (eg. scoliosis)

Question 8

Causes of true shortening of the lower limb

Answer 8

• Congenitally shorter lower limb
• Fracture of bone with fractured elements overlapping each other
• Disorders of growth of skeletal apparatus of the body
• Scoliosis

Question 9

What is the straight leg raise used to test for (and why for each)?

Answer 9

• Meningism (stretches sciatic nerve directly)
• Meningitis (indirectly pulls + irritates meninges)