Q: Can a leg length discrepancy cause problems?

A: YES. A difference in the length of the two legs can cause chronic pain and difficulty walking for several reasons. If the legs are of two different lengths, it can make you feel unbalanced when you walk, like you’re swaying side to side, like a weeble-wobble. The foot on the longer leg will try its best to compensate for this by pronating (flattening), which can cause painful, strained joints and ligaments. The difference in leg length can also cause severe back and neck pain, even scoliosis, as your spinal column tries its best to adjust to the difference. One of the simplest treatments for milder leg length differences is a pair of custom foot orthotics with a heel lift for the shorter side.