how to adjust for a shorter leg

[Xrayted]

So, my left leg is shorter than the right by 1.5cm due to an accident. I normally wear an in-shoe custom insole but that only covers the height issue at the heel when I'm walking. And, it won't fit in my Sidis.

The breakdown... (yes, I had recent leg length xrays)
Left tib/fib is now 2cm shorter than right. Right femur is .5cm shorter than left, naturally. What should I be concerned with for fit on my road bike? Is it feasible to get a shorter crank arm on the left side to compensate for the overall length? What will that do to my knee over toe? Could this be just something I have to live with as is?

I have had a ton of surgery on the left side and overall I'm not experiencing any pain that I can attribute to the length discrepency. However, I do notice that I get a bit of left knee tweeking type of pain when I ride over 25miles or have a lot of hills to climb. I need to keep my leg useful as long as possible so I'm thinking of the wear and tear of my joints if I continue to ride with things out of balance. Is this a reasonable worry on my part? I dunno.

I do plan on getting a pro fit this winter but I haven't found the right place to go yet so I'm just thinking ahead so I have an idea what level of $$$ I'm looking at overall. If any of you have an idea of the general direction (part swaps, etc) this may lead me, please speak up. Any advice is welcome here.

Thanks.

~X.

[crazycanuck]

X dear, Triskeliongirl & a few others were discussing this a few months back. Give me a few minutes & shall see if i can find the thread.

[Xrayted]

hey CC! Thanks. I guess you've seen my leg in person so you get where I'm going with all of this. I just need to keep what I've got left, ya know.

[crazycanuck]

Happy to help dear

How about this thread http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...t=short+cranks

or this one? http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ht=discrepancy

[Xrayted]

Thanks CC! I'm thinking the drop pedal setup that they are talking about may work for my longer leg but go with a shorter crank arm on that side to accomodate the slightly shorter femur, eh? I may have to email that guy too and discuss a few things. You are the coolest chickie, ya know...

[crazycanuck]

X my dear, I just hope you can find a way to accommodate your leg! Happy information hunting!

(((X)))

[kermit]

I have a 1/4 inch leg difference due to a broken hip. My doctor gave me lifts for my running shoes and I have made homemade shims for my sidis. I took a few washers and attached them under the cleat (you might need longer cleat screws). It will raise your leg up and after my recent fit I am definitely leveled out. No more knee pain that I was having. It is crude but worked for me. The important thing is whatever your measured difference is, use half of that length for your correction. If you use the same amount you can overcompensate and create new problems. Gradual adjustments are the way to go.