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The first 25 slides, exactly as they appear. The full deck has 36 content slides.
Orthopaedics
Shortening
Built from Pillemer — Physical Signs in Orthopaedics and Neurology
What’s inside
5 sections · 36 slides
Overview
- What this topic teaches you
Measuring Leg Length Inequality
Two bedside methods, and why you should use both
- Why leg length matters
- Method 1 — the tape measure (supine)
- Tape measure from pelvis to inner ankle
- Method 2 — standing on blocks
- Blocks of varying heights
- Reading the pelvis when blocks are added
- Fingers on iliac crests, level check with a block
- Two methods, one answer
- Cross-check, and when you need precision
- Three terms to lock in
Where Is the Shortening?
Localising it above or below the knee
- The knees-together test
- View from the FOOT of the couch = tibial shortening
- View from the SIDE = femoral shortening
- Knees flexed: tibial versus femoral shortening
- Quick localisation summary
True Versus Apparent Shortening
The commonest source of confusion at the bedside
- The core distinction
- Confirming TRUE shortening
- True shortening versus apparent shortening
- How a stiff hip fakes a length difference
- A compensatory spinal curve appears too
- Measuring apparent shortening
- The commonest cause of apparent shortening
- Adduction contracture: apparent shortening
- The mirror image — apparent LENGTHENING
- Abduction contracture: apparent lengthening
- Adduction versus abduction contracture — the effect
Putting It Together
Summary and self-test
- True vs apparent — the whole idea on one slide
- Take-home messages
- A left leg looks short, but with the pelvis level and legs parallel both measure equal. What is going on?
- Physical Signs in Orthopedic and Neurologic Disorders: A Practical Guide