I know there has been much written on this forum about different leg lengths and I recently wrote about my concerns. I emailed my consultant to ask about this as I'm not due to see him until August. He wrote back that it often settles down as the pelvis alignment settles which is why they don't do anything until they can check it at 8 weeks. Well folks, I think mine is settling down and the huge 1 inch difference is barely noticeable now - yay!!! I hope everything settles again when I have the second hip done.
Yay indeed! My difference is almost gone as well, OS told me with the next, it should be completely gone. Apparently, the old hip is not as it should be (duh, it jeeds replacing as well..) and the new hip is actually at the place where it should be. So basically, I shrank back half an inch while my hips were breaking up and they are restoring my 'true' height.
Here's to balance! ☕️
Hey Laura .... thank you for your post .... really good to know - I am in the same situation as am6t8 as other hip needs THR as well - so still lob sided and pinguin walk -
take care - happy that you are doing so well ...
warm hug
Hi Laura, your comment has reassured me, so thank you. I've had one leg shorter than the other by an inch for what seems like my whole life though I'm sure it's not that long. As a result all my trousers have been professionally altered. I don't bother to alter track bottoms and cut offs have been a godsend for me! Hopefully after my op I will stand straighter, walk better, be able to stand for longer. All of which I will need at the boot fair where I hope to sell all my old trousers! Ha ha. Good luck with your recovery.
That's good news. I wish they would also tell you that the leg feels longer that it actually is for several weeks. On both my ops the leg felt longer. It was slightly longer on the first but I still had my shoe raisers removed and probably shouldn't have as the length wasn't equalised. I got some put in a year ago after 14 years when my other hip started to go. Now after the replacement hip on the that leg the leg felt longer but has settled down and with the shoe raisers still in I am walking without a limp for the first time in all those years.
Hi Laura,
Greeting, interesting posting....
All i'd add is that after first hip done ten years ago legs did settle down to same length very quickly, as you say. all helped by exercises and regaining good posture!
Though, a huge one inch gap appeared in last couple of years as other hip crumbed and got into a viscous circle of pain, lack of use to avoid, lack of mobility, collapsing structure.
Now, 20 weeks into 2nd hip, all is sunny, hopefully for rest of my life!
Mic
x
Hi Laura
great to read your post and all the comments it has raised
i too have have nearly inch difference. Afraid I didn't believe surgeon when he said it would settle down, but reading all this it looks like that may be it will. I will have to be patient.
any particular exercise in particular you had to do?
Glad to hear you're doing well
carol x
Hi Laura, well that is great news!! it's always one of the main concerns for us hippies, will I wake up inches shorter and have to buy all new trousers and jeans lol, when is your next op? like you I am half done lol, but I didn't have any length discrepancy, but like you who knows what the next op. may bring, it's a bit of a lottery, but I guess it's better than all the pain.
hugs to you.
Lynne.
Hi my left leg is 2cms shorter than my right one now, I dont notice it....
Hi Everyone just caught up with this post after I had posted with this very question. So glad to hear that it usually settles down although at 5ft 1in I should be pleased to get a bit of extra height! Thanks for the reassurance
Hi Carol, No special exercises, just the standard ones that are given in hospital along with plenty of walking. I must say I was a bit paranoid about developing an eneven pelvis so I have regularly stretched myself upright when walking and practiced a good rolling gait without turning my foot or leg out to the side.
Gosh you're short 😁
I'll go away now hahhaha