Does the felling of leg discrepancies go away?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

hi hippies,

i am almost 2 weeks post op for a TLHR. It really feels like this leg is longer than the right one now. I had a TRHR in June 2017. PT says it will settle after using it and getting muscle strength back that I need to get use to it. It’s true that it’s been 2-3 years that I’ve been limping around and maybe it’s going to take some time to relearn how to walk normally. I don’t remember feeling this after first surgery. Just wanted to know if any of you had this sensation and how long it took to go away.  In the event that there is a real, not just perceived, difference how do you deal with it.

thank you.  

2

Hi,

The same thing happened to me, the discrepancy felt quite a lot making it difficult to walk. The physio thought it was about 4cms (1 1/2”),  it’s definitely more than an inch. The pharmacist said it’s 3cms.  Surgeon couldn’t care less. It’s 3 months now and no better. I feel disabled. I am wearing an insert but all my shoes aren’t suitable as my insert  is too much so I just wear Crocs all the time as my insert fits into them nicely. I am very upset. I can’t see how it will improve as it’s my operated leg that is now longer. I have been left to deal with this on my own. I wasn’t made aware this could happen.  I hope your discrepancy isn’t so much and that you have a surgeon who will help you.

3

Good to feel operated leg is longer， swelling in the hip causes it， and usually it subsides over a few weeks.

4

Thanks Rocetman. Hope you are right. 

5

Hi Laura- sorry you are dealing with this. How long ago was your surgery?

6

Yes.   It’s true.   Legs do settle.  I’m 1 month out and the feeling of discrepancy is getting better. 

Not completely.   But there are adjustments the body makes.   I’ll let you know in a few more months.   H

7

Did you manage to walk without an insert?  I have tried but it’s too much. Three months in for me and no sign of getting better but I am still hoping. 

8

Well, I hope so. Right now if my right foot is flat on the ground my left leg is bent. Do let me know how you progress. 

9

Yes, same here.

10

I had the exact same situation.  Now 4 weeks and 3 days and I can stand flat footed.   However still not 100 %.  

Still a ways to go.   I’m told it could take months ... or not !

H

11

To stand  straight on my operated leg meant I had to tip toe with my non operated leg! I’m now 4 weeks post op and it is lessening thank heavens. The advice I’ve been told is that it can take up to 6 months to settle and you shouldn’t use heel raisers or the like until then, unless a clear leg length discrepancy is shown by X-ray, not just misalignment/swelling that should resolve. Hope yours begins to settle soon

12

I'm been fighting with my hip doctor since the replacement on this same issue.  I've had to add a riser in my right foot to compensate for the irregular length of my right leg.  If I do9n't use the riser my body let's me know that something is not right.  Been fighting with ortho's , chiro's  about this issue for a long time.

13

Hi

i feel the same. I tried today to go without my heel raisers after France’s advice from her doctor. I didn't  walk very far but it wasn’t easy and I am so aware of the discrepancy but I will try again tomorrow . I tend to get back ache due I presume to my hips being misaligned. I am determined to try everything, I don’t want to be like this for ever.