Method and Device for Addressing Leg Length Inequality

Abstract

A heel lift assembly is provided for use in a variety of types of footwear including open toed and open heeled footwear. Such a heel lift assembly comprises a plurality of assorted removable and interchangeable heel lifts which may be worn alone or used together with an insole and outsole combination which are part of an open toed and/or open heeled shoe assembly. The plurality of interchangeable and removable heel lifts are connected to each other by an assembly using grooves on the bottom of each heel lift and one or more attachment points on the upper surface of the each subsequent heel lift.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heel lift assembly comprising:
 a first heel lift with a substantially flat first heel lift first surface and a divided recessed first heel lift second surface;   a second heel lift with a series of protrusion connection points on a second heel lift first surface and a divided recessed second heel lift second surface; and   wherein the series of protrusion connection points of the second heel lift fit into the divided recessed first heel lift second surface to form the heel lift assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The heel lift assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially flat first heel lift first surface is textured. 
     
     
         3 . The heel lift assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the texture is a non-slip texture. 
     
     
         4 . The heel lift assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a piece of hook tape is attached to a divider of the divided recessed second heel lift second surface. 
     
     
         5 . The first heel lift of  claim 1 , wherein a rear portion of the first heel lift is about 3 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The heel lift assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first heel lift is an insole. 
     
     
         7 . The heel lift assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a third heel lift, wherein the third heel lift has a third heel lift series of protrusion connection points on a third heel lift first surface and a divided recessed third heel lift second surface on an opposite side of the third heel lift from the third heel lift first surface; and wherein the series of protrusion connection points fit securely in the divided recessed second heel lift second surface. 
     
     
         8 . The heel lift assembly of  claim 7 , wherein a piece of hook tape is attached to a divider of the divided recessed third heel lift second surface. 
     
     
         9 . The heel lift assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first heel lift has less height than subsequent heel lifts. 
     
     
         10 . The heel lift assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a slope of the heel lift assembly is no more than about 5.5 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The heel lift assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a slope of the heel lift assembly is between about 0.5 and 5.36 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The heel lift assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the heel lift assembly is placed beneath an insole of a shoe. 
     
     
         13 . A method for treating leg length asymmetry compensation comprising:
 (a) determining a height difference in leg lengths of an individual;   (b) providing a heel lift assembly having a plurality of heel lifts, wherein the bottom of each heel lift has a divided recessed surface to connect with a plurality of protrusion connection points on a top surface of the heel lift below;   (c) adjusting the number of heel lifts in the heel lift assembly to the height difference in the leg length of the individual;   (d) inserting the heel lift assembly below an insole of a shoe so that a heel area is raised to the height difference determined in the leg lengths of the individual; and   (e) positioning the individual's foot in the shoe containing the heel lift assembly such that when the individual is wearing the shoe, the leg length of a right leg and a left leg is the same.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein an uppermost heel lift is softer than heel lifts below. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein an uppermost heel lift is more compressible than heel lifts below. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a slope of the insole with the heel lift assembly is less than about 5.5 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the difference in the leg lengths is a functional inequality. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the difference in the leg lengths is an actual inequality. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the shoe is a sandal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the leg length inequality compensation is coronal pelvic tile.