May
Why You Should Use an Evenup Shoe Leveler with a Walking Boot
Recovering from a lower limb injury or surgery often involves wearing a walking boot, post-op shoe, or cast on one leg. While these devices are essential for healing, they often create an uneven gait due to the difference in height between the immobilized and non-immobilized foot. This limb length discrepancy (LLD) can lead to discomfort, pain, and even secondary injuries. Fortunately, products like the Evenup® shoe leveler are designed to address this issue by evening out your stride. But does the research support their use?
What Is The Evenup Shoe Leveler?
The Evenup is a shoe-leveling orthotic that straps onto the shoe of your unaffected foot to balance your posture while walking in a boot or cast. It’s a simple concept, but it can have a significant positive impact. Without a leveler, the height difference from wearing a boot can cause your pelvis to tilt and force your spine and joints to compensate unnaturally with every step.
The Biomechanical Impact of Limb Length Discrepancy
Studies have shown that walking boots can create an LLD of up to 5 centimeters. This is depending on the type and size of the device. This discrepancy doesn’t just cause an awkward gait, it places additional stress on your hips, knees, lower back, and even the unaffected leg.
Research published in Gait & Posture (2016) found that individuals wearing a CAM boot experienced:
- Increased pelvic tilt
- Lateral trunk lean
- Step asymmetry
- Higher energy expenditure while walking
What the Research Says About Shoe Levelers
Fortunately, using a shoe leveler like the Evenup can significantly improve walking mechanics. The same study in Gait & Posture showed that adding a shoe lift to the contralateral foot helped restore balance by:
- Reducing pelvic tilt and trunk lean
- Improving step symmetry
- Decreasing musculoskeletal strain
Additional biomechanical research in the Journal of Biomechanics (2018) confirmed that patients experienced improved gait patterns and reduced compensatory movements when using shoe levelers. Clinicians also report that patients using shoe lifts experience fewer complaints of low back pain and greater comfort during daily activities.
Clinical Use and Patient Comfort
While randomized controlled trials are limited regarding shoe levelers. Real-world clinical use supports the benefits of Evenup devices. Orthopedic surgeons, physiotherapists, and podiatrists often recommend shoe levelers as part of post-operative care, particularly when this use of a boot is likely to be for an extended period. Including after surgeries involving:
- Achilles tendon repair
- Forefoot surgery
- Ankle fractures
Patients frequently report less strain on the back and hips and are more likely to stay mobile and follow rehab guidelines when using a shoe leveler.
Important Considerations Before Using A Shoe Leveler
While the Evenup offers clear benefits, proper fitting is essential. Using a leveler that is too high or unstable may lead to further imbalance or even an increased risk of falls. It’s also important to consult a healthcare professional before use, especially for patients with balance issues, neuropathy, or other underlying conditions that may impact gait.
The Bottom Line
Using an Evenup shoe leveler when wearing a moon boot, cast, or post-op shoe is a simple, low-risk intervention. An intervention that can make a big difference in comfort, posture, and recovery outcomes. Research supports its use, and it’s increasingly becoming a standard part of rehabilitation protocols in both surgical and nonsurgical care. If you’re recovering from a lower limb injury, give Sydney Physio Clinic a call to see whether a shoe leveler is right for you.
