Conservative correction of leg-length discrepancies of 10mm or less for the relief of chronic low back pain.
OBJECTIVE
To study whether conservative correction in a leg-length discrepancy (LLD) of 10mm or less in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) can relieve pain.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled intervention study, with a mean follow-up duration of 10 weeks.


METHODS
Physical therapy clinic of the national health services.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients with CLBP were screened for an LLD of 10mm or less, which was measured with ultrasound. Patients were randomly divided into intervention and control groups.


METHODS
In 22 patients, LLD was corrected by applying individually fitted shoe inserts. In 11 patients, LLD was not corrected.


METHODS
Chronic pain intensity (visual analog scale) and disability score (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire).


RESULTS
Shoe inserts significantly reduced both pain intensity (P<.001) and disability (P<.05). A moderate positive correlation was found between LLD and the degree of pain relief after wearing shoe inserts (r=.47).


CONCLUSIONS
Shoe inserts appear to reduce CLBP and functional disability in patients with LLDs of 10mm or less. Shoe inserts are simple, noninvasive, and inexpensive therapeutic means that can be added to the treatment of CLBP.
Defrin
Ruth
R
Department of Physical Therapy, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Ben Benyamin
Sarit
S
Aldubi
R Dov
RD
Pick
Chaim G
CG
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007870:Leg Length Inequality / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012775:Shoes; D016896:Treatment Outcome