Leg Length Test

The Dr. Maggs® Leg Length Test is a simple yet powerful tool designed to help individuals identify and correct one of the most common and overlooked causes of musculoskeletal imbalance—leg length discrepancy. Developed as part of the Feet First System, this test offers a practical, accessible solution to improve posture, reduce abnormal stress on the body, and prevent injury.

Why It Matters:

Most people suffer from some degree of arch collapse and uneven leg length, which leads to tilted hips, spinal misalignments, and chronic joint overload. Left uncorrected, these imbalances can contribute to a wide range of conditions including plantar fasciitis, hip or knee pain, low back issues, and sciatica.

How the Test Works:

1. Step 1: Insert Quality Over-the-Counter Orthotics
   
   • Begin by placing high-quality over-the-counter orthotics into your shoes. This creates symmetry, stabilizes the arches and eliminates foot collapse as a variable.
     
2. Step 2: Get a Standing A-P Lumbo-Sacral X-ray
   
   • While wearing your orthotics, get an anterior-posterior (front-facing) standing x-ray of the pelvis.
     
   • This x-ray reveals the femoral head height difference (FHHD)—an accurate measurement of leg length imbalance.
     
     
3. Step 3: Add a Heel Lift
   
   • If the difference is greater than 3mm, a heel lift of equal size should be added under the orthotic on the short leg side.
     
   • Lifts are inexpensive, widely available, and typically range from 3mm to 7mm.
     

Why It Works:

By supporting the arches and correcting hip height imbalance, this process can improve a person’s biomechanics by up to 50%. It’s a game-changing first step for anyone dealing with one-sided pain or chronic musculoskeletal issues.

Bonus Insight:

For a more complete biomechanical evaluation and to determine your unique Actuary Alex℠ pattern (a classification system based on femoral head height changes), two x-rays—one barefoot and one with orthotics—can be compared.