• Brown SH
• Hinson R

• Leg Length Inequality
• Reproducibility of Results
• Subluxation

Few studies have examined the reliability of estimation of supine leg length inequality, in spite of its routine use in upper cervical chiropractic practice as an indicator of neurological interference. We investigated inter- and intra-examiner reliability of supine leg length estimation as performed by upper cervical chiropractic practitioners. In our study, nine experienced clinicians estimated the leg length differential of nine subjects, three of which were assessed twice. Each subject wore similar bowling shoes and was placed supine on a low, flat table. The subjects' feet protruded from a curtain placed across the room in order to blind both the examiners and subjects. Examiners then recorded the leg length differential to the nearest one eighth inch. Overall intraclass agreement among examiners was high (>0.9), as was intra-examiner reliability. The demonstration of such reliability is a first step toward establishing the etiology and diagnostic significance of supine leg length disparity.

Author Keywords: leg length differential, short leg, reliability study, chiropractic.

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