[Ultrasound determination of leg length]

A diagnostic method is presented for measuring the leg length and the difference in leg lengths with ultrasound. A special device for holding and moving the ultrasound transducer was constructed. The measuring points on the hip, knee, and upper ankle can be visualized with a 5- or 7.5-MHz linear scanner. The measuring device gives the distance of the points in centimeters so that the difference corresponds to the real length of the leg, femur, and tibia. Tests conducted on corpses and clinical examples show that ultrasound in combination with our special device is an ideal method for determining the exact length of the leg. Ultrasound measurement of the leg length offers a reliable, noninvasive, and easily performed method. Because ultrasound is not limited by radiation hazards, our technique can be used for clinical screening.