Lower Limb Length Discrepancy (LLD) in ChildrenABILMI-PEDNCT07254351
Analysis of the Biomechanical Impact of Lower Limb Length Inequality in PEDiatrics
An observational study of Lower Limb Length Discrepancy (LLD) in Children, run by Hospices Civils de Lyon at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
Lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) is a frequent condition in pediatric orthopedics. Even moderate discrepancies can induce pelvic obliquity and compensatory scoliosis, modifying the distribution of joint loads at the hips and lumbar spine. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 10 to 15 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Lower Limb Length Discrepancy (LLD) in Children
- What is being tested?
- EOS Imaging System and Force Platform (Bertec®, integrated into EOS cabin)
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Surgery or procedure
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 7 Apr 2026to 7 Jun 2029
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 10 to 15 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Study population: The study population will consist of approximately 100 pediatric patients (aged 10 to 15 years) presenting with an anatomical lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) greater than 5 mm, confirmed by clinical evaluation. Participants will be recruited consecutively during routine outpatient visits at the Pediatric Orthopedics Department of Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant (HFME), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France. This hospital is a tertiary referral center in pediatric orthopedics, receiving children from the Rhône-Alpes region and beyond. All included patients will undergo EOS imaging as part of their standard clinical assessment for LLD, ensuring that the study is fully integrated within the regular care pathway. The cohort therefore represents a specialized clinical sample of children with LLD, rather than a general population or community-based sample.
Who may be able to join
- Children aged 10-15 years
- Anatomical LLD > 5 mm, clinically measured
- EOS imaging indicated by the pediatric orthopedic surgeon in routine care
- Ability to stand still for 30 seconds without assistance
- Covered by social security
- Parental consent and non-opposition obtained
Who cannot join
- - Functional or postural LLD without true anatomical discrepancy
- History of major pelvic or spinal surgery
- Severe neurological or orthopedic condition preventing standing (e.g. cerebral palsy, progressive myopathy)
- Fixed equinus deformity preventing plantar support
- Major lower limb deformity (severe genu varum/valgum)
- Contraindication or inability to undergo EOS imaging
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Dimitri HERRERA-NATIVI contact
France1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Hospices Civils de Lyon Service d'Orthopédie et de Traumatologie
Bron, 69500
Thierry HAUMONT, Pr, 04.27.85.57.88 ext. +33, thierry.haumont@chu-lyon.fr
Thierry HAUMONT, Pr
About this study
Official title: Biomechanical Analysis of the Impact of Lower Limb Length Discrepancy on Hip and Lumbar Spine Joints in Children
Lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) is a frequent condition in pediatric orthopedics. Even moderate discrepancies can induce pelvic obliquity and compensatory scoliosis, modifying the distribution of joint loads at the hips and lumbar spine. These biomechanical imbalances are suspected to contribute to early degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis or chronic low back pain.
The aim of this study is to quantify the biomechanical impact of LLD in children aged 10 to 15 years, using a combination of low dose biplanar EOS imaging (EOS Imaging System) and synchronized ground reaction force (GRF) measurements from integrated force platforms. These data will be used in musculoskeletal models developed in collaboration with the Biomechanics and Impact Mechanics Laboratory (LBMC, Laboratoire de Biomécanique et Mécanique des Chocs), enabling the estimation of hip joint and lumbar intervertebral disc loads.
This is the first pediatric study integrating EOS imaging, force platforms, and personalized musculoskeletal modeling to explore the mechanical consequences of LLD. The findings are expected to improve clinical reasoning and guide early therapeutic strategies.
Read the detailed description
Lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) is a frequent condition in pediatric orthopedics. Even moderate discrepancies can induce pelvic obliquity and compensatory scoliosis, modifying the distribution of joint loads at the hips and lumbar spine. These biomechanical imbalances are suspected to contribute to early degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis or chronic low back pain.
The aim of this study is to quantify the biomechanical impact of LLD in children aged 10 to 15 years, using a combination of low dose biplanar EOS imaging (EOS Imaging System) and synchronized ground reaction force (GRF) measurements from integrated force platforms. These data will be used in musculoskeletal models developed in collaboration with the Biomechanics and Impact Mechanics Laboratory (LBMC, Laboratoire de Biomécanique et Mécanique des Chocs), enabling the estimation of hip joint and lumbar intervertebral disc loads.
A temporary orthopedic compensation (shoe lift) will also be tested to assess its immediate biomechanical effect. Participants will be evaluated at baseline (two EOS acquisitions: with and without compensation) and at 2 years (without compensation).
This is the first pediatric study integrating EOS imaging, force platforms, and personalized musculoskeletal modeling to explore the mechanical consequences of LLD. The findings are expected to improve clinical reasoning and guide early therapeutic strategies.
- Being tested
- EOS Imaging System, Force Platform (Bertec®, integrated into EOS cabin)
- Keywords
- EOS imaging, Biomechanics, Lower limb length discrepancy (LLD), Pediatric orthopedics, Force platform, limb length
- Medical subject headings
- Leg Length Inequality
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
EOS Imaging SystemRadiation
Low-dose biplanar radiographs of the whole body in standing position (EOS Imaging System). At baseline, two EOS acquisitions will be performed in static standing position : one without compensation (natural position) and one with temporary orthopedic compensation (shoe lift under the shorter limb). At 24 months, one EOS acquisition will be performed without compensation. Each acquisition lasts a few seconds, with radiation exposure 5 to 10 times lower than conventional radiographs.
Force Platform (Bertec®, integrated into EOS cabin)Device
Ground reaction force (GRF) measurements obtained from a force platform integrated in the EOS cabin. The platform records weight distribution and center of pressure during static standing posture. Measurements are fully synchronized with EOS acquisitions, without additional time or discomfort for participants. At baseline, GRF measurements will be collected in two conditions (with and without orthopedic compensation). At 24 months, GRF measurements will be collected in the non-compensated condition.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Children with lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) | Pediatric patients aged 10-15 years with an anatomical LLD > 5 mm, evaluated in the routine pediatric orthopedic care pathway. Receives: Radiation: EOS Imaging System; Device: Force Platform (Bertec®, integrated into EOS cabin) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Asymmetry of Hip Joint Contact Forces (%) in Static Standing
Hip joint contact force asymmetry index (%): calculated as AI (%) = 100 × (F_long - F_short) / [(F_long + F_short)/2], where F_long and F_short are side-specific resultant hip joint contact forces (estimated by musculoskeletal modeling from EOS imaging and ground reaction force data). Units: percent (%).Higher values indicate greater asymmetry.
Measured: At baseline (Day 0, without compensation)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Nov 2025
- Study start7 Apr 2026
- Primary completion7 Jun 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion7 Jun 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Lower Limb Length Discrepancy (LLD) in ChildrenStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Hospices Civils de LyonThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hospices Civils de Lyon
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Thierry HAUMONT, MD, Principal investigator, Hospices Civils de Lyon
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07254351
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 69HCL25_0746
- Other IDs
- 2025-A01923-46
- Acronym
- ABILMI-PED
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 17 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Biomechanical Analysis of the Impact of Lower Limb Length Discrepancy on Hip and Lumbar Spine Joints in Children
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07254351
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ABILMI-PED / 69HCL25_0746
- Keywords
- EOS imaging, Biomechanics, Lower limb length discrepancy (LLD), Pediatric orthopedics, Force platform, limb length
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Hospices Civils de LyonUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 7 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 7 Jun 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 7 Jun 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 28 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) is a frequent condition in pediatric orthopedics. Even moderate discrepancies can induce pelvic obliquity and compensatory scoliosis, modifying the distribution of joint loads at the hips and lumbar spine. These biomechanical imbalances are suspected to contribute to early degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis or chronic low back pain.
The aim of this study is to quantify the biomechanical impact of LLD in children aged 10 to 15 years, using a combination of low dose biplanar EOS imaging (EOS Imaging System) and synchronized ground reaction force (GRF) measurements from integrated force platforms. These data will be used in musculoskeletal models developed in collaboration with the Biomechanics and Impact Mechanics Laboratory (LBMC, Laboratoire de Biomécanique et Mécanique des Chocs), enabling the estimation of hip joint and lumbar intervertebral disc loads.
This is the first pediatric study integrating EOS imaging, force platforms, and personalized musculoskeletal modeling to explore the mechanical consequences of LLD. The findings are expected to improve clinical reasoning and guide early therapeutic strategies.
Detailed description
Lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) is a frequent condition in pediatric orthopedics. Even moderate discrepancies can induce pelvic obliquity and compensatory scoliosis, modifying the distribution of joint loads at the hips and lumbar spine. These biomechanical imbalances are suspected to contribute to early degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis or chronic low back pain.
The aim of this study is to quantify the biomechanical impact of LLD in children aged 10 to 15 years, using a combination of low dose biplanar EOS imaging (EOS Imaging System) and synchronized ground reaction force (GRF) measurements from integrated force platforms. These data will be used in musculoskeletal models developed in collaboration with the Biomechanics and Impact Mechanics Laboratory (LBMC, Laboratoire de Biomécanique et Mécanique des Chocs), enabling the estimation of hip joint and lumbar intervertebral disc loads.
A temporary orthopedic compensation (shoe lift) will also be tested to assess its immediate biomechanical effect. Participants will be evaluated at baseline (two EOS acquisitions: with and without compensation) and at 2 years (without compensation).
This is the first pediatric study integrating EOS imaging, force platforms, and personalized musculoskeletal modeling to explore the mechanical consequences of LLD. The findings are expected to improve clinical reasoning and guide early therapeutic strategies.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Children with lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) | – | Radiation: EOS Imaging System, Device: Force Platform (Bertec®, integrated into EOS cabin)Pediatric patients aged 10-15 years with an anatomical LLD > 5 mm, evaluated in the routine pediatric orthopedic care pathway. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 10 to 15 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
- Study population
- The study population will consist of approximately 100 pediatric patients (aged 10 to 15 years) presenting with an anatomical lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) greater than 5 mm, confirmed by clinical evaluation. Participants will be recruited consecutively during routine outpatient visits at the Pediatric Orthopedics Department of Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant (HFME), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France. This hospital is a tertiary referral center in pediatric orthopedics, receiving children from the Rhône-Alpes region and beyond. All included patients will undergo EOS imaging as part of their standard clinical assessment for LLD, ensuring that the study is fully integrated within the regular care pathway. The cohort therefore represents a specialized clinical sample of children with LLD, rather than a general population or community-based sample.
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Children aged 10-15 years
- Anatomical LLD > 5 mm, clinically measured
- EOS imaging indicated by the pediatric orthopedic surgeon in routine care
- Ability to stand still for 30 seconds without assistance
- Covered by social security
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- - Functional or postural LLD without true anatomical discrepancy
- History of major pelvic or spinal surgery
- Severe neurological or orthopedic condition preventing standing (e.g. cerebral palsy, progressive myopathy)
- Fixed equinus deformity preventing plantar support
- Major lower limb deformity (severe genu varum/valgum)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| EOS Imaging SystemLow-dose biplanar radiographs of the whole body in standing position (EOS Imaging System). At baseline, two EOS acquisitions will be performed in static standing position : one without compensation (natural position) and one with temporary orthopedic compensation (shoe lift under the shorter limb). At 24 months, one EOS acquisition will be performed without compensation. Each acquisition lasts a few seconds, with radiation exposure 5 to 10 times lower than conventional radiographs. | Radiation | Children with lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) |
| Force Platform (Bertec®, integrated into EOS cabin)Ground reaction force (GRF) measurements obtained from a force platform integrated in the EOS cabin. The platform records weight distribution and center of pressure during static standing posture. Measurements are fully synchronized with EOS acquisitions, without additional time or discomfort for participants. At baseline, GRF measurements will be collected in two conditions (with and without orthopedic compensation). At 24 months, GRF measurements will be collected in the non-compensated condition. | Device | Children with lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) |
Primary outcome
Asymmetry of Hip Joint Contact Forces (%) in Static Standing
Time frame: At baseline (Day 0, without compensation)
Hip joint contact force asymmetry index (%): calculated as AI (%) = 100 × (F_long - F_short) / [(F_long + F_short)/2], where F_long and F_short are side-specific resultant hip joint contact forces (estimated by musculoskeletal modeling from EOS imaging and ground reaction force data). Units: percent (%).Higher values indicate greater asymmetry.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Dimitri HERRERA-NATIVI contact
Thierry HAUMONT, MD principal investigator
Hospices Civils de Lyon
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Lower Limb Length Discrepancy (LLD) in Children, run by Hospices Civils de Lyon at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Thierry HAUMONT, MD, PhD (4 27 85 57 88 ext. +33, thierry.haumont@chu-lyon.fr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Asymmetry of Hip Joint Contact Forces (%) in Static Standing (time frame: At baseline (Day 0, without compensation)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Apr 2026.