This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Differing leg lengths may increase low back pain in individuals who work standing up
Workers who have a leg length discrepancy greater than 6 mm and who stand to work reported more low back pain than employees who have a similar leg length discrepancy, but who do not have to stand for work, according to results of a recently published study.
Researchers included employees from Atria Suomi Ltd., a food industry company in Nurmo, Finland, in their study. They identified workers who must stand to complete their job duties or are sedentary when they work. The study included 114 meat cutters with standing jobs and 34 customer service workers with sitting jobs.
Two physiotherapists from Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences used a laser range meter to measure the leg length discrepancy (LLD) of the workers. The researchers found 49% of the meat cutters and 44% of the customer service workers had an LLD of 6 mm or more. In addition, 16% of meat cutters and 15% of customer service workers had an LLD of at least 11 mm.
Researchers found lower back pain and number of self-reported days of lower back pain directly correlated with a LLD of 6 mm or more. However, in a stratified analysis, that correlation was only found among the meat cutters and not among the sedentary workers.
Researchers concluded there is a significant correlation between LLD of 6 mm or more and high intensity lower back pain, but the correlation only existed for employees who must stand while working. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Collapse
Rannisto S, et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015;doi:10.1186/s12891-015-0571-9.