Fyne Stephen  Achugbue, Segun  Sanusi, 
    Post-Stroke Lower Limb Length Discrepancy: A Complication in Patients with Hemiparesis,
    Research Journal of Medical Sciences,
    Volume 3,Issue 5,
    2009,
    Pages 175-178,
    ISSN 1815-9346,
    rjmsci.2009.175.178,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjmsci.2009.175.178)
    Abstract: A stroke without prompt physiotherapy may result in contractures and/or other preventable complications, which may further affect functional ability. Asymmetric standing posture with weight transference to the non-paretic lower limb is peculiar with stroke patients. A secondary Limb-Length Discrepancy (LLD) in stroke has not been reported. The study looked if LLD could be a complication after stroke in physiotherapy neglected cases. Twelve stroke patients (2 Right, 10 left; 9 males, 3 females; mean age: 63.42±9.10 years) who presented late for physiotherapy participated in the study. Their length of stay before physiotherapy management ranges from 3-72 (mean 20.70±20.30) months. A true leg length measurement (from anterior superior iliac spine to the medial malleolus) bilaterally, revealed insignificant LLD (p>0.05), but when correlated with extension lag of the paretic knee joint showed significance (p<0.05). LLD could result as a post-stroke complication-a long term effect in physiotherapy neglected cases, from reduced ROM of the non-paretic limb. Early physiotherapy (with quadriceps muscle exercises) of stroke patients is advised. Further studies with more accurate and reliable measurements are recommended.
    Keywords: Stroke complications;limb length discrepancy;range of motion;weight shift;late physiotherapy