Flip through the phone book and find a shoe store that will customize shoes for you. In my area, we have Fleet Feet, New Balance, etc. They will do a full gait and postural analysis and build a shoe to fit your foot. A friend of mine has the exact same problem as you are describing and he got New Balance to fit him (his left leg is an 3/4 inch shorter). His shoes look right off the shelf and you'd never know the difference. They also cost about the same as a regular pair of upper-end NB shoes too (~$180) but he said its worth every penny.
If you could get me a number to a place that is doing that, I'd be very grateful....I though of designing a pair myself, or a concept, and pitching it to shoe companies...I have a pair that I took to the shoemaker and had an inch added to the sole....looks awful, and also makes my ankle roll easier....
I had a decent concept in my head of how to build the shoe....the postural analysis, orthotics, leg-lenght all have to tie together (i'm hoping that the orthotics are built custom w/in the shoe...?)
If I could get a show that fits my needs and looks off the shelf, man, would that make a difference....I went as far as considering the surgery to have one shortened (requires tibia/fibula break and removal of a section) or lenghtening...a 4-6 month process where the bone and muscle/tendon/connective tissue is stretched.....I diodnt do it, and dont see it happenin in the future.....
I hope that whatr you say your friend has is what I envision...Even if its not local, a contact number would be greatly appreciated...they can link me to a local distributor....
Thankx again,
Chris