I've discovered one of my legs is 5mm shorter than the other? Do I use some sort of insole?

[HelpMeRonda]

Just that really.
What do you use to even up, some sort of shoe insole?
Thanks

How did you discover? What has prompted you to look?

No, everyone has a shorter leg. I’m guessing A physio or chiropractor told you this. Under a cm is nothing but did the person who told you have any advice?

I got my son £400 custom made insoles on the advice of a private orthopedist as the NHS waiting list to see him for pain in his feet was long. My son was discovered to have a difference of 0.5 cm too. My son found the insoles very uncomfortable however was told to persevere. 3 weeks later he sprained his ankle and was on crutches for 5 weeks. Once out of crutches, he had a lot of back pain. I spent a small fortune on a private chiropractor and back pain eventually got sorted (we ditched insoles by that point). Then my son was finally seen by an NHS orthopedist who advised some cheap off the shelf insoles. They made no difference. The chiropractor recommended another orthopedist who assessed and prescribed simple exercises. Those really helped

It was a surgeon who will be replacing my arthritic hip in 6 to 9 months time.
He will adjust the replacement joint to make up the deficit.
I didn't ask him about resolving this in the short term as I was concentrating on questions about the surgery.
I'm just curious to try something like insoles to see how they feel etc.

My sister had the same, although less of a wait for her surgery. I should think it happens frequently that people find out they have a slightly shorter leg in this way. I wouldn’t bother with insoles as you’ve got this far without them and the length difference will soon enough be corrected.

It wouldn’t occur to me to do anything 🫣

I had hip replacement surgery 6 years ago and as a result I now have one leg very slightly shorter than the other - I don't know by exactly how much.
I was told before the operation that this was a common occurance after the operation.
I don't do anything to correct it and it doesnt bother me in any way - I'm just so grateful to have had my ability to walk restored.

Is it long until your surgery? Maybe one option is to buy a new pair of shoes then go to Timpson and get them to nail their thickest new sole on top of one of them

Reformer Pilates has worked wonders for some chronic knee and hip discomfort I had which I think was down to a leg length difference. I was wearing a heel lift and considering an insole before that. No issue now.

Probably not worth it for difference of less than 1 cm. It takes a while for skeletal adjustment to settle, and your leg will be changing again in a few months, so not worth it.

It's perfectly normal for a human body to be not perfectly symmetrical.
If the difference is causing pain then imsoles may help, but for most people their musculoskeletal system manages to cope with these little differences without any adjustments needed.

I think the difference between my leg lengths is a little bit bit more than half a centimetre, probably closer to one centimetre. I've been aware of it since my late teens (I'm late 60s now).

A few years ago I tried putting heel risers into my right trainer to raise my right leg. It did make me look more even and balanced, in that my hips looked more similar on each side, rather than the usual situation of one side looking flatter than the other. Also I could stand straight instead of being slightly twisted to one side. However, it felt strange and I didn't feel as grounded and actually felt unbalanced. I think my brain and body is so used to being adapted to the two different leg lengths that I'm better doing nothing.

When I went for a bone scan for osteoporosis a few years ago, the Dr noticed the difference in my legs and said it had caused a minor scoliosis in my spine.

My DD has this difference and physio found out. He advised her hips will have more wear and tear over the years if this isn’t supported with insoles. Incidentally she also has flat feet and needs custom insoles. However I have opted not to address it for now. Might do as she grows older and is completely used to insoles.

I have a slight difference in leg length and am also knock-kneed and flat-footed.

I have one foot which is a bit buniony and the toe goes in a bit. I've also had plantar fasciitis and toe pain.

Since I've been doing yoga regularly and don't wear heels in the office and also avoid flat, thin soles, my feet have been great. Also after I got pf I put £8 pf insoles in all my shoes. I'm quite strong, fit and flexible which helps.