My doc told me I might have a different length on the new hip post surg. I am now dealing with a slightly longer right leg and have to deal with orthodics on my left foot to even it out. Otherwise I'm almost 6 wks out and feeling pretty good. Sleep through the night most of the time. Off pain meds entirely for over a week. Driving at 32 days. Life is slowly getting back to normal. My walks are my measuring stick and for awhile I was doing longer walks everyday until the last few days where I felt some stiffness and decided not to push it. I love my PT, twice/week, making more progress each session. Just started working on balance which is key to independent walking and being able to maneuver around tight spaces. Anybody else get a longer leg after surg?
HI yes I to have a longer leg I use heel raisers in my shoe that help but I feel it’s a small price to pay for having no pain
I'm afraid of doing damage to my old hip by being not perfectly aligned thus having to do THP on that one too. My doc "joked" about that during post op discussion, to the effect that, we can get it right the second time
There are two main reasons for having a Leg Length Discrepancy (LLD), either the surgeon got it wrong, or the swelling that occurs where the new hip attaches to the pelvis. This swelling will subside, but it takes several weeks.
If the surgeon has got it wrong, the only way to confirm it is to have X-Rays taken, which when the feet are aligned, will show any length differences. A small amount of difference is to be expected, but large amounts can be considered negligence depending on the amount.
Graham
Dear Jbrhip
How long is slightly longer?
Cheers Richard
Very slight but nonetheless noticeable, my PT gave me a quarter inch heel booster and it felt better right away
I ad a longer leg before surgery. After surgery they were both straight on the same length and I looked taller. The only problem with uneven legs is that it can cause back pain
Yes I'm afraid that is me, I have 3/4 inch difference and the Dr's do not want to know.
3 appts at the hospital where THR done, and just duck shoved, extreme pain in lower back, found to be ruptured S1-L5, L5-L4 & L4-L3 bulging, and told to me face that it had nothing to do with the leg length discrepancy, well that's funny as I had no back problems prior to surgery.
LONG-LEG-XRAY, confirmed my fears, and complicated them as I was found to have a natural 10mm below by knee, unidentified by myself or Dr's, and then surgeon added another 12mm during surgery, you would think I was to blame for not telling them about natural LLD, but nobody had ever mentioned it previously, does this natural LLD explain why I was told as a youngster I always ran like a duck.
Was told a few months ago that the hospital where I had my THR done now does long leg x-ray on all patients prior to surgery, are they trying to identify LLD like mine so the same doesn't happen again, this came from a nurse on the ortheo ward.
Hi there.....
Greetings...
Great you into your Gym stuff and hopefully getting rest too.
I was advised against orthodontics with a 2cm longer leg after surgery...and glad I did cos 6 months on legs now identical length
Keep up the PT and swimming and walking...jogging is great when u feel ready too
Warmly
Mic