i already have an inch difference in leg length and am very worried that post operation this will increase. I don't like the idea of special built up footwear.
Hi Jennifer the short answer is no they don't. My surgeon said he would try to make my legs the same length and he has but they do warn you pre op cos during the op it may not be possible to get both legs the same length.
I do understand, however being able to walk without pain is better than having one leg longer than the other.
Had my right hip replaced and my leg length seems fine, no longer or shorter,just right. I've read about this happening but luckily I'm fine
Hello Jennifer. When my surgeons registrar came to see me prior to my operation he asked if I had one leg longer than the other. I said not at the moment (in a joking tone) he assured me they would be the same after my op. Some people are unaware of leg length discrepancy and then notice it post op when in fact it was there all the time. Think when one is in constant pain one alters the way of walking and I have read this may cause a pelvic tilt which rectifies eventually.
Hope this helps
Ann
Hi,
My leg was around 1 inch shorter before my op but the last thing I said to my surgeon before I fell asleep was please make sure my legs are the same length after,he assured me that they would be and they are perfectly equal now,hopefully you will have the same outcome and everything will be fine.
Good luck and I hope it all works out.
Paul.
Hi Jennifer,
Not always. Mine was almost 1 inch shorter. Now it's just about right. It may be off a cm or so, but loving the new length. Surgeons do their best. Just make sure he is aware of it.... Ginny USA NJ
I asked my doctor here in the USA that question long before my surgeries! The hospital also offered seminars for patients prior to THR and they covered that topic stating that they measured and should get the two legs even! My first THR was March 7, 2007 and the second THR was August 15, 2007. My legs are exactly the same length. Even my chiropracter measures my leg length before he does an adjustment and they're even except when I have vertebrae needing adjustment.
Before my recent 2nd THR this was my main worry..
The last thing I remember saying to my surgeon just before I was sedated was "make sure I have no leg length descrepancy." .and the first thing he said when he saw me post op, (with a smile) ,is 'I made sure both legs are the same length" and 8 wks on He was right.😊
'
Yep, same conversation with my dr. And I said "Doc, that's the way to do it!" 😉
Hi JenniferLouise,
There can be subtle discrepancies and not so subtle ones. In my opinion, it seems to vary from surgeon to surgeon, human body to human body.
I am 5 weeks post op left hip revision and am not allowed to bear weight on it for at least 6 weeks. However, I put both feet down for a split second and my new surgery leg seemed extremely longer.
Am kind of worried. Reading everyones stories shared on here helps very very much.
💛 Dawn, USA
thank you so much Ann. I suspect this is the case with me. I am dreading the op and all that goes before and after as this is my first stay in hospital since having my tonsils out 50 years ago! I read your comment to my husband and he said that I wll have a good excuse (as if I needed one) to replace all my trousers which have all been altered to fit! My surgeon is the best in the area so here's hoping I have the same outcome as you. Thank you once again. J
thank you Paul. It would be wonderful to have equal limbs, so fingers crossed.
Thank you Ginny, I have had so many helpful comments about this, yours included. I just hope the UK surgeons are as competent as US ones clearly are. Fingers crossed.
Yes it is a scarey concept. I was worried about the spinal block instead of a general anaesthetic. Would recommend it as no nasty after effects and was quite pleased to have a catheter for 24 hours. One less thing to think about. Not everyone needs a catheter. Advantage of the block is being pain free for the first 4 hours. My surgeon also delivered a morphine shot into site at end of surgery so I was pain free for around 12 hours. 16 days post op today and no pills for the past 3 days. Following all instructions to the letter to ensure a good recovery
Good luck and remember although a major op it is now routine for the hip surgeons. My surgeon does 200 per year x
Hello Jenny. I am a UK patient and my surgeon was very competent. The NHS give good occupational therapy support. My raised toilet seats were delivered to my home and a pre op visit is routine if deemed necessary. This service has to be resourced independently if you go privately in the UK. One of the reasons I chose the NHS was for the automatic preparation for your return home
Hi Ann, glad to learn that you are recovering well. It is nice to 'chat' with someone who has had her op so recently. I'm quite a long way time wise from the op having only just been diagnosed. I had terrible knee pain and was absolutely astonished to learn that I need a THP. I won't be having the op until later in the year unless I pay for it. The cost is eye watering, if I wait it is free. In the meanwhile I am reading everything I can in preparation. I don't know if I will be offered spinal block or full knock out. I may well opt for the later as the thought of listening in on the operation fills me with dread. I'm a coward as you may have guessed. I will take the surgeons advice I think. He knows more about it than I do!
Jennifer Louise
Hi there. I was interested in your comments re spinal block. I am not ashamed to admit that I had some concerns over this but the surgeon explained how much safer it was and how the recovery is quicker. After the epidural, you get a pretty strong opiate and I also had my ipod to listen to during the operation. I can honestly say that , although you are vaguely aware of what is going on, you really do not care as you are cruising at about 30 000 feet! So my message would be: do not disregard an epidural. I am so pleased I had it
Hello again re spinal block you are given a sedative so asleep. It is routine here at the Royal Surrey County hospital in Guildford and all 6 in my ward had one with only 2 of us needing a catheter. I was also put on the Enhanced Recovery Program. Waiting lists are greatly reduced using these methods. Although I had been monitored for 2 years my hip still had life. My last consultation was Feb 17th and X-ray showed deterioration and ready to do. Was given a 6 week window and asked not to make plans. I was due to go to France but not booked it as I was awaiting the outcome of this consultation. Think it important that patients put health before pleasure. 2 weeks later I got my date 19 March. France will still be there and I will be pain free. I have had a first class service and think it important that the patient fits in to the surgeons busy schedule and not the other way round. I came home on day 4 should have been day 3 but had a blood pressure drop which delayed my physio. The 80 year old next to me was up and walking with zimmer as soon as numbness wore off. How cross was I at 20 years her junior. My surgeon visited and gave reassurance that these things happen. My scar looks just like a pencil line very neat. Happy hippy customer x
Hi Jennifer Louise
The first thing the surgeon said to me after the opening was "now your legs are the same length!" When I got home and was able to stand straight I felt they were still different, but I put my concern on this forum and got so many helpful replies about muscle memory that I was totally reassessed now I am 6 weeks after they are definitely equal!
My legs are exactly the same. I had an x-ray of my hips at my first consultation and again when I went for the pre-op, so they could see what size replacement I would need. I have read that if your one leg is longer than the other, they can adjust this during the operation, so maybe you will find you have both legs the same length afterwards. Fingers crossed for you. Good luck.