Leg Length Discrepancy

Just as it is normal for your feet to vary slightly in size, a mild difference in leg length is normal, too. A more pronounced leg length discrepancy, however, can create abnormalities when walking or running and adversely affect healthy balance and posture. Symptoms include a slight limp. Walking can even become stressful, requiring more effort and energy. Sometimes hip pain and lower back pain develop.

Heredity, broken bones, and disease can cause limb variations. Some health care professionals point to the increase in total knee and hip replacements as the culprits for a growing number of leg length discrepancies. For mild cases there are various shoe lifts for uneven legs available.

1. Heel lifts that slip into the heel area of your shoe provide a simple solution for mild leg length variations. Shoe lifts for uneven legs should be placed under the insole of the shoe of the shorter leg. The lift adds length to the shorter leg to enhance body alignment for a better balanced gait. Over-the-counter heel lifts are available in five different height increments: 3mm – 1/8 inch; 5mm – 3/16 inch; 7mm – ¼ inch; 9mm – 3/8 inch; 12mm – ½ inch.

2. If preferred, heel lift modifications can be incorporated into the midsole of a shoe. See Rx Shoe Lift for more info and photos. Our shoe lab experts are available to do this modification with either a prescription from your health care professional or a signed waiver from you.

3. Consult your health care professionals to evaluate, measure, and monitor leg length discrepancies.