Custom ice skates for each foot

[jb999 0]

Hi! I have an issue of having 1 foot that is an inch longer than the other. This can make it difficult to quickly turn left and even sometimes stop on the ice. I was wondering if anyone else has this problem? If there is a skate solution, custom or not, that may help level my legs out a little.

Thanks for the feed back.

[Anjin-san 29]

With that much of a difference I'd say you're best bet would be a pair of custom skates as they'll size each foot individually.

[Chadd 916]

custom or buying two pair of skates are your only real options. Although if you know the exact sizes that you need, you might be able to find two pair on closeout at a good price.

[jb999 0]

Sorry I meant to say leg longer than the other, not foot!! Wow.

Yes I have a crocked pelvis, as well - but I believe the doctor measure my leg difference at about 1". Is there a way for adjusting for this with skates.

^I understand nothing will solve the problem perfectly, but do the lifts help??

[jb999 0]

I should add, is there any place that specializes in this? I wouldn't know how to work on a hockey skate if my life depended on it.

[LeMagnifique66 0]

I just wanted to jump in here with my own little "testimonial". I hadn't even skated, much less played hockey, in about 15 years until ~10 months ago. Unfortunately, during my layoff I was hit with a somewhat rare form of degenerative bone and joint disease known as Psoriatic Arthritis. It has eaten away at the bones/joints in my feet/legs/hips/pelvis etc. For whatever reason, it has done more damage on the left side which has made my left leg now 1/2" shorter than the right. So, I've been dealing with this and trying to find ways to make skates work for me for nearly the past year. What I had settled in on was a really deep fitting skate boot and an internal heel lift. But, my balance was never quite right with that much pitch difference, if you will. So, I decided to go in search of information, once again, on this subject which led me to this site.

Long story short, I took the full plunge on going with shims just today. I FINALLY found a local shop that actually does this sort of work. The gentleman I spoke with is Jason Binnie at KoSports Hockey in Pittsburgh, PA. (Sad part is that I've been in there several times before. I just never knew they did actual skate work.) Jason and I got to talk for a little bit, even though Ko's was slammed. He showed me the shim stock he uses which looked like 1/8" thick HDPE to me. After talking and actually looking at my current lift, we decided to keep a slight forward pitch and also slightly under-correct by only going with 3 layers of material under the heel and two layers under the toe. If it would end up that I still feel a little too forward pitched on the left, Jason said he would just re-profile the blade back from where it is now slightly to compensate. He also said that should I feel the need for that extra 1/8" difference that 1/8" of steel can be ground from the right skate runner.

All told I feel like a HUGE weight has been lifted off of my shoulders today. I have no idea yet if this will all work out as well as I hope. But, I have a hard time believing that it won't be better than what I've been dealing with. So, I am nervously excited. My skates should be done this week. (Jason likely won't even touch them 'til Monday at the earliest with as busy as that place is on weekends.) Oh well. Anyway, I'll report back when I get to skate on this new set-up. But, I figured that folks might at least like to know that the principles discussed here, along with the use of HDPE, seems to be spot on.

[jb999 0]

Excellent, I'll talk to my local stores

[LeMagnifique66 0]

This is what was done to my left skate. (Ended up going equal in front and back after all.) 3/8" slight under-correct. (Likely going to grind 1/8" off right runner if this isn't enough to get by with.) If it had gone all the way to 4 layers, I would have wanted them segmented like Rubo showed above. But, I am thinking/hoping this will be okay. I'll know once I skate on them. :)

[jb999 0]

^How did they perform?

[Joe 1]

Is there anywhere in Northern California (Sacramento-Bay Area) that can customize skates like this?

[goaliemanshark 6]

Any hockey store should be able to that for you. The four in the Bay area are: Powerplay hockey, Allstar hockey, Hockey Xsport, and San Jose sharpening and profile. The last one is probably the most experienced when it comes to skates.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

My wife had one leg longer than the other and it affected her ability to skate (casual, not hockey). Regular visits to the chiropractor actually solved that issue for her. YMMV.

[Davetronz 109]

My wife had one leg longer than the other and it affected her ability to skate (casual, not hockey). Regular visits to the chiropractor actually solved that issue for her. YMMV.

The beauty of proper pelvic/hip alignment, as Rubo said. A lot of people refuse to go to chiropractors or don't believe in their services.

I'm a believer, and my chiropractor is usually the first person I visit when injury/pain/alignment problems come up. Plus he plays hockey with me, so he really understands the sport, motion, and types of injuries.

[AyeshaAlam 0]

Hello all,

I truly feel lucky by finding this forum and I am sure you guys are the ones who can help me out the best!

I have a son who is almost 5 years old and he has leg length discrapency, his difference in leg is almost about 1.5 inches and there is a difference of almost 1/2 size in his shoe size. Because of this reason he started walking really last. He started to walk when he was almost 4.5 years old. Besides leg length discrapency he had other issues as well which delayed him a little bit such as severe prematurity and a major abdominal surgery and tumor and than chemo all of that under the age of 1.

Now finally he has started to walk but he is still a little wobbly. Now his older brother goes for ice skating and my little son named Danyal literally can't wait to go hit the rink. He is literally on fire. I really want to provide him the option of skating. I would never want to limit his capabilities and interests because if his leg issues.

Can you guys please help me decide if I should wait or go ahead, Do you guys think that this might actually work as sports therapy for him cause in the end ice skating is All about the balance. You think it's a good idea or a bad?

Please please please help me decide.

I do have a personal instructor who is willing to teach him.

Thank you so much.

[fatwabbit 93]

Am no expert, but would internal lifts work for him?

[AyeshaAlam 0]

Internal lifts...hmmm I don't think that's an option in his case as the difference is about 1.5 inches but you know what thanks for bringing that to my attention and it might work in this scenario as the skates are more like boots and long till your ankles so it might work. I'll look into that option too now. Thanks for your reply.

This morning I told him, I found somebody who can make special skates for you and he got so happy and excited.

I really hope I can make this whole thing work for him.

[Davetronz 109]

You can get a good hockey shop to put lifts between the holder and the boot on the shorter leg, but I personally haven't seen anything larger than 1" to solve a problem like this. You can be limited by the length of rivets available to attach the holder and lift to the boot. Someone else might be able to provide some insight if they've done anything larger than 1".

I'd also be sure to check with his doctor and/or specialist to ensure that this type of activity (and solution) won't cause him any harm. Good luck, hopefully you're able to get him on the ice.

[squat 5]

My wife had one leg longer than the other and it affected her ability to skate (casual, not hockey). Regular visits to the chiropractor actually solved that issue for her. YMMV.

The beauty of proper pelvic/hip alignment, as Rubo said. A lot of people refuse to go to chiropractors or don't believe in their services.

I'm a believer, and my chiropractor is usually the first person I visit when injury/pain/alignment problems come up. Plus he plays hockey with me, so he really understands the sport, motion, and types of injuries.

Correct. The chiropractor is usually a first stop for many athletes. Old head in my last squadron ejected from a T-37 and was shot down and ejected in an F-4. was in major pain for most of his career, meantime daughter became a chiropractor. 2 surgeries did almost nothing. He was talked into the adjustment by his daughter and he is basically fixed at this point. Dumped his shoes with the 1/2 lift or something and it basically saved his life.

Sadly most Docs see you hobbling in and go straight for a scapel.