American Heelers have modified thousands of shoes and we can effectively perform the shoe lift elevation on any shoe you like. The average shoe lift size they modify is approximately 5/8″ which only adds a couple ounces of weight to the shoe. However very often we have to modify shoes 2, 3 and even 4″! On shoe lift elevations of that larger thickness it is even more important to select shoes which are lighter weight and more flexible because the additional sole makes the shoe weigh a little more and lose some flexibility.

It is also very important for the shoe to have a wider bottom surface area that is flat and balanced. The shoe lift elevation will have the effect of slightly destabilizing the shoe, so having a more stable and flat shoe to begin with will work to counteract that effect.

The causes of a leg length discrepancy, even the most common ones, are numerous and varied. Discrepancy can result from an injury, such as in a fracture that damages the cells responsible for growth of the bone, while the corresponding bone on the other leg grows normally. Some fractures can also lead to overgrowth of bone during the healing process, resulting in a longer than normal bone. Overgrowth commonly occurs in young children with femoral fractures. Diseases of the bone, such as osteomyelitis, can injure a region in a bone, called the growth plate, where growth in length occurs, so that a discrepancy occurs gradually over time. Some children are born with legs that are of unequal length or bowed tibias that are accompanied with a leg length discrepancy.

Specific treatment for leg length discrepancy will be determined by your orthopedic surgeon based on: Your age, overall health, and medical history, the extent of the discrepancy, your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies, Expectations for the course of the condition, your opinion or preference. Your feelings about the treatment are extremely important. Some techniques used to equalize leg length are simple and safe, but others, especially lengthening procedures, are complex with high complication rates.

This is why we recommend using our shoe modification techniques. It is a non-invasive procedure which is cost effective and more importantly pain free. So do well to contact American Heelers now.