Sunday, October 25, 2020

Heel Lifts for Unequal Limb Length in Polio Patients

 Polio patients usually have a short leg and or scoliosis that can be treated with a common in shoe heel lift. This leg length discrepancy is permanent. Polio patients commonly will have lower back pain, hip, knee, and ankle pain due to the unequal leg length (short leg). Medical providers can easily treat the patient’s discomfort with a simple shoe heel lift. Usually, a heel lift that is dispensed is about 1/4 the limb length discrepancy. The proper height depends on the patient’s comfort level and how long they have had the short limb.



In shoe heel lifts are placed on the short limb side underneath the shoe’s insole. This allows the heel lift to sit firmly at the bottom of the shoe. Optimum control and comfort to the patient is then achieved. In shoe heel lifts can be manufactured from cork and EVA/rubber blend. They come in different heights to correct the leg discrepancy.

Atlas Biomechanics produces in shoe heel lifts here in the USA from medical grade rubber/cork and eva/rubber. They come in heights of 1/8″ (3mm) heel lift, 1/4″ (6mm) heel lift, 3/8″ (9mm) heel lift and 1/2″ (12mm) heel lift. An adjustable heel lift, that allows the heel riser to properly fit the short leg is a common type for polio patients. The 1/4″ heel lift is our most popular short leg lift for polio patients.


Teri Green

Atlas Biomechanics

About Atlas Biomechanics: We are a woman-owned sports medical manufacturer of heel lifts, foot pads, and heat mold orthotics.


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