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Ipsilateral versus Contralateral Anisomelia Between the Upper and Lower Limbs
Author(s) -
Baral Sumit,
Adar Tony,
Pagano Anthony S.,
Marquez Samuel
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.490.5
Subject(s) - medicine , anatomy
The exact prevalence of lower limb length discrepancies (LLLD) and upper limb length discrepancies (ULLD), collectively known as anisomelia, has not been determined but has been associated with poorer quality of life. While those with ULLD are rarely symptomatic, LLLD patients commonly suffer ambulatory problems and degenerative joint disease of the hip and lower‐back. Anisomelia can arise congenitally or post‐traumatically. This study compares ipsilateral versus contralateral anisomelia in the upper and lower limbs. Cadaveric upper and lower limbs were measured in order to find a relationship between sidedness and limb shortness (i.e., if shortness in the upper and lower limb is concentrated ipsilaterally). Results showed that out of 20 studied donor bodies, nine had a shorter right lower limb and five had a shorter left lower limb. Out of the 14 donor bodies with LLLD, 11 also had ULLD, seven with a shorter right lower limb and four with a shorter left lower limb. Our investigation revealed that nine cadavers had ipsilateral anisomelia versus two cadavers with contralateral anisomelia. Gross cadaveric examinations of upper and lower limbs showed no evidence of trauma, suggesting that the observed ULLD and LLLD were congenital in nature. Further research is warranted by the results of our study as the higher prevalence of unilateral anisomelia may have implications in the genesis and development of the limbs. Grant Funding Source : SUNY Downstate College of Medicine