In simple words: The doctor takes X-rays or other images of your legs, from your hips down to your ankles, to measure the length of each leg and see if there's a difference. They use a special ruler in the images to get a precise measurement. This helps them figure out if one leg is shorter than the other, which can be caused by things like birth defects, injuries, infections, or growths.

This code represents imaging of the lower extremity from hips to ankle to measure the difference in leg length. It typically includes imaging of the hips, legs, knees, and ankles with a reference ruler to accurately measure bone length and identify any deformities. This procedure helps determine leg length discrepancies caused by various conditions like congenital disorders, infections, tumors, or trauma.

Example 1: A 5-year-old child presents with a noticeable limp and uneven leg lengths. A bone length study (77073) is performed to assess the discrepancy and plan for potential treatment., A 16-year-old athlete experiences a severe knee injury during a game. A bone length study (77073) is conducted to rule out any growth plate damage or leg length discrepancy resulting from the trauma., A 60-year-old patient with a history of bone infection in their leg undergoes a bone length study (77073) to evaluate the long-term effects of the infection on bone growth and leg length.

Documentation should include the reason for the study, such as suspected leg length discrepancy, history of trauma, infection, or congenital condition, along with supporting clinical findings and relevant medical history.