Q: I have a long history of running injuries and have noticed that one of my legs is longer than the other. Should I put a heel lift into my shoe to balance this out?
A: Leg length differences can be due to congenital factors, a previous fracture in the lower extremity, a misaligned pelvis, poor foot mechanics (pronation etc.), or numerous additional factors. It has been noted that between 2/3 and 3/4 of humans have a difference in leg length.
Differences in leg length can result in biomechanical stresses and muscular imbalances affecting ones running gait. Problems such as sciatic pain and hip discomfort are more common on the side of the long leg, while problems associated with the short leg are often foot pronation (inward roll), medial knee stress, and general muscle weakness.
Simply inserting a lift into your running shoes is ill-advised. The underlying cause of the leg length difference should be determined and addressed. Adding a lift to a shoe can create tremendous problems as your body attempts to adjust to the changes in your gait. Additional reasons to abstain from putting a lift in your shoe: 1) It changes designed function and performance of shoes (mechanics, support, etc.). 2) Unless being used all waking hours your body will be forced to re-adapt to gait with and without lift. 3) Lift may create unleveling of the pelvis and associate spinal complications.
Leg length differences can lead to dynamic problems with ones gait, predisposing them to numerous running related problems. Finding the cause of the problem is the key. Solutions to the problem may involve custom orthotics, specific Chiropractic adjustments to address pelvic unleveling and related problems, changes in footwear, and other clinically necessary changes.
Dr. Jeffrey P. Metcalf
Helping fellow runners stay healthy allows Dr. Metcalf to combine two of his passions in life, running and Chiropractic health care.
