Hey guys, I had a total left hip replacement last friday (22nd July) and have noticed that my operated leg feels slightly longer than the other. When I mentioned this to the nurses, I was told that it was probably due to swelling and that my leg length should return to being equal. I have heard that leg length difference is common with this surgery so I'm worried it will be a permanant issue. Did anyone else have this problem and it did return to normal after swelling was gone or do you think it will stay the same?
I just wanted to say "Ditto" to Vanessa88276's reply. Give your self some time to heal I felt I had one leg longer than the other in the beginning but it did all settle in.
Part of my original problem was LLD and the doctor added 1.5 cm intentionally w/ surgery to help remove the root cause. I also had a lower back muscle spasm issue that immediately went awat once my body was no longer trying to keep vertical to compensate for the disorder. Might wanna ask the surgeon if it was done intentionally.
I would think if it was done intentionally that the doctor would've discussed it with her before the surgery (but I might be wrong) Also, I don't think she had a leg length discrepancy before the surgery. However that is So Awesome that your doctor was able to fix your leg length discrepancy!
I had RTHR June 28th so I'm 4 weeks out today. I also felt my leg was longer on my replacement side. But the good news is it doesn't seem as bad now. Each day gets better, still have some discomfort but all in all I think I'm doing well. So be patient it does take time.
My right leg is about 12mm (1/2" longer than my left leg following my THR (you can see / measure it on the x-ray). My surgeon says to give it time and anything less than 20mm will have no long term effects but I'm sceptical. He suggested using a heel lift on the shorter side and that my body will adjust but I haven't noticed any improvement after 3 1/2 months.
I did not have any issues when I had my left hip done last year.
Hi crawfyx....Hard for me to say, because my right leg is slightly longer than the left, and this was done intentional. My surgeon knew I needed the left done also and told me immediately after surgery that it was intentional and that when the left is done they will be equal. I am 10 weeks post op today for rthr and going in on the 12th for the left. He will make sure they are the same length then...Wishing you well, and is still really early in your recovery....Barb
you are still so very early in your recovery from major surgery - everything will feel different, stiff, woody, etc - nurse is right - still lot of swelling etc.
this uneven feeling might be present for a while - you are relearning how to walk properly after, perhaps limping or different way of walking ...
take one step at a time, one day at a time -
let us know how you are getting on otherwis - when are you going home ?
Hi there. I'm 14 weeks out from my RTHR - and also felt a distinct LLD immediately after the op - it felt like dropping off a small step! So I too was really worried... Ultimately the surgical team confirmed that the operated leg was indeed about 1/2 an inch longer than the other one, but assured me that it would feel less extreme when the swelling went down - and also said that the brain compensates well for discrepancies up to about an inch. I'm pleased to say that, for me, this has proven to be true - once the swelling started to subside, the extent of the discrepancy felt less. And as I returned to normal life in terms of walking/exercise etc, I can honestly say that I stopped noticing the difference at all. I had a few lower back issues as everything adjusted - and if I focus on it I can still feel the difference - but basically i don't notice it at all. Really hope the same will prove to be true for you - I'm confident from what I've read on here that it does for many people :-) Best of luck with your continued recovery! Mark
My leg felt a lot longer after surgery to the point I could stand on my operated leg and the left leg didnt touch the ground. It now feels perfect and my physio recently measured my legs and found the operated one was 2mm longer which is nothing really. Around the 4 -6 weeks mark I noticed a real difference as the swelling went down. Hopefully yours will be the same.
Hi, I'm 7 weeks post-op today. I remember the very first time I got out of bed & walked with a zimmer - I felt like I was walking up & down a hill on one side if that makes sense! The Physio explained it's because pre-op I was so used to walking like a penguin & limping & due to the fact my surgeon had corrected the leg length discrepancy, my pelvis & spine were wonky & I need to practice walking correctly. I can honestly say I hardly notice now. It will get better x
The feeling of leg length difference (LLD) is common and is usually caused by swelling in the pelvic area, but actual clinical LLD is not common.
The operation is really brutal, and aside from moving your leg into positions it was never designed to go to, don't forget that the surgeon has to ream out your pelvis to put in the 'socket' part of the joint, and that causes the swelling.
It's different for us all, but I had that feeling at first, but the swelling settled down after a few weeks.