10′s of thousands of people face the challenge of having one leg shorter than the other, most commonly known as leg length discrepancy. Many of our customers have contacted us after spending their entire lives have custom shoes made and were simply fed up. Others have contacted us after hip surgeries that have left a limb shorter than the next.

The causes of a leg length discrepancy, even the most common ones, are numerous and varied. A discrepancy can result from an injury as a child, 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.

Diseases of the bone, such as osteomyelitis, can injure 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. Functional leg length discrepancy can also result from congenital (present at birth) problems, that alter alignment of the hips, such as coxa vara and developmental dislocation of the hip. Neuromuscular problems, such as cerebral palsy, which causes problems with alignment and posture can also lead to a functional discrepancy.

Bone tumors and treatments designed to eradicate them are related to leg length discrepancy. Tumors can invade the bone’s growth plate like an infection and treatments, like chemotherapy, can also damage the plate.

Most people cant afford expensive limb lengthening surgeries. Even having custom shoes made can be costly. LiftKits can help and may allow you to wear the same shoes everyone else does for a fraction of the cost of an expensive procedure or customized shoes.

*LiftKits works in most shoes but not all. Make sure to experiment with multiple pairs to find your best fit.