When are insoles useful? | Physiotherapy for a difference in leg length

When are insoles useful?

Insoles with a difference in leg length are only prescribed from a difference of more than 1.5 cm, as no real change in the static can be deduced beforehand. However, a difference between children and adults can be drawn. Children will receive orthopedic care from a leg length difference of 1.5 cm and adults only from 2 cm. There is the possibility to put insoles into the shoes to stretch the leg length or to have the shoe fitted with a sole elevation by an orthopedic technician. The insoles which are put into the shoes are usually made of a gel material so that the foot adapts to the material as well as possible.

Is it possible to jog with a leg length difference?

Jogging with a difference in leg length is generally not a problem, as the symptoms are usually only triggered by an additional trauma. However, a muscular imbalance is caused by the false statics and incorrect posture, which is why running is often characterized by pain. If there is a significant difference in leg length, relief can be achieved by raising the sole of the sports shoe.

If there are only minimal differences, the runner should stretch and mobilize intensively. Supportive physiotherapy detects the weak points and can counteract them accordingly. Besides running, it is also important to do a proper strength training for legs and trunk.

For a good running style it is crucial that the legs are muscularly stable. A running analysis should be carried out to detect evasive movements while running at an early stage. It is also important to use good running shoes, as there are different running shoes depending on the rolling motion or foot position. These can also be found in a running analysis.

Summary

A leg length difference can be divided into the anatomical and the functional leg length difference. The anatomical leg length difference refers to bone growth and the functional leg length difference to muscular stabilization. Causes can be growth delays in the anatomical leg length difference or muscular imbalances in the functional leg length difference.

In physiotherapy, the patient’s statics are improved by mobilizing the hip, knee, foot, pelvis and spine. The muscular imbalance is corrected by appropriate strengthening or stretching exercises. Pelvic obliquity and scoliosis are usually accompanied by a difference in leg length.

The symptoms can be counteracted by mobilization and appropriate strengthening exercises. If the difference in leg length is more than 1.5 cm, insoles are prescribed. Jogging is generally not a problem, but should only be done with appropriate running analysis and additional training with supporting physiotherapy.