I know its early days but I feel my operated hip is higher than my non operated leg. Does this mean I will have one leg longer than the other Im a young 49 and this is worrying me.
Tweetz
Yes this can happen - sometimes longer sometimes shorter.
The "cure" is a small orthopaedic insert in your shoe.
Pete (Gloucestershire UK)
One wat you can tell is if you dr. Said it's ok, put your legs straight in front of you with out shoes. Then see if they are equal
Or sit in a chair feet flat on the floor. Are the knees same length?
Its still quite swollen could that be why It feels this way? I am really hoping that thats why and not that it is a difference in leg length
If I put my feet together they seem the same but Im on one crutch and its when Im walkin that my operated hip feels higher. My surgeon said they were the same. It just doesnt feel like it
Hi, I had the same. I'm just coming up 10 weeks post op and have a discrepancy in the leg length with my operated leg about 1cm longer. I use a heel raise I the show to correct it. The discrepancy was greater in the first weeks when I was still swollen because if the incision etc. when that settled down and my pelvis corrected it's settled at this 1cm. Surgeon tells me it will be corrected when I have the other hip done. I must admit I was pretty freaked out at first even though they had warned me before that this can happen, but I've adjusted at will wait till I get the other one done.
I do understand though that you are concerned. See how it settles though and talk to your surgeon and physio.
best wishes
whalie
My hip was also quite swoolen.In fact by two weeks it went all the way to my toes. May be just give it time to settle. With it swollen that May be the difference.
I havent been offered any physio at all just feel like ive been left to my own devices. The hospital was pretty awful to be honest. My surgeon was great. But have had no aftercare what so ever. I was told On discharge a district nurse would visit on the friday as I left hospital the sat before. But she didnt turn up,so I rang on the monday and the hospital hadnt informed them about me. As I gad disolvable stitches the nurse said I didnt need a visit. And Im not due to go back to hospital till 10th Feb nxt year.
I really hope that its down to the swelling and not a difference in leg length. Just dont feel you get any post op info generally
There are physio you can do and should do. But it has to be done with the type of approach of your THR.im told you can find the on line.
however ring up the doc. Office get into physio as soon as possible.
We'll a lot of post here say they are given post op information in the uk. Someone messed up getting them to you.
Some things are critical, like don't cross you feet or knees. Or your hip will dislocate . Another is sleep only on you back. If you turn over on non op legg side have a pillow between your legs. BUT. Not turning at this point of your recovery. Turning ca cause you to dislocate your hip. Please be careful
I will ring Doctors on monday Ty daft I know but its stressing me out worrying about it. And being so tired from lack of sleep as its an hour too two hrs then up coz of the pain lying in one place. Dont think I was really prepared for the post op side of things at all
No I do have leaflets on the do's and donts which Im following. But Since leaving hospital 2 and a half weeks ago ive seen no one and when you have questions but no one too answer them its very stressfull
I am 6 weeks post op an same as u had no physio no aftercare an mine was a hip revision so it's 2nd hip replacement on my right side and had my left done last year like u with only 1 done I was uneven length on legs but now they apparantly the same but hard to tell while still using crutches
Hi! Give it a few months before you concern yourself too awfully, there is a great deal of swelling.
Out of my 2 hip replacements, one leg is longer and as of yet it remains unresolved.
Wish you the best
Dawn
Oh that's terrible. But try not to stress out and do call them ask for advice about the leg length and to organise some physio. It's important to do the exercises to build up muscle strength. They are online but you need someone to talk you through how to do them. They should be helpful if you contact them or your GP.
good luck with it all and remember you are really in the very first stages and it will all settle down.
whalie
Hi Tweetz, I am nearly 8 weeks post op from my right THR and going in this Tuesday 9th dec to get the left THR done. For the first four and a half weeks or so I was convinced that my right leg was longer than the left, but after continuing with my daily exercises, by the middle of week five suddenly I was walking much better and the feeling of my legs being uneven had gone. If you are worried seek advice from your GP or physio. It is very early days for you at the moment, I hope it all turns out well for you. Keep up with the exercises but don't overdo it. Best wishes Maggie xx
Wow couldnt imagine going through this twice I hope yours goes well. I will keep up with my exercises and fingers crossed alls ok in the end.
Hi I had the same worry about the different leg length , my physio told me which exercises to do 4 times a day to correct this. I am now 12 weeks post op and just starting to walk without feeling like I am stepping into a hole each time. I did my exercises and still doing them daily without fail. You need to build up your muscles. If you are in the uk ? the hospital should give you follow up physio appointments it a big big part of your recovery. Google how to get rid of my limp after a THR and it explains how there is this feeling of leg length difference. I also have to have my other hip done eventually. I don't know if there is anything in this length difference or just the fact that people have not done the correct exercises , all I know is that my improves each week
Sorry it's " why do I have a limp after hip replacement " brings up some informative sites , take a look a livestrong can't put the link because this will not post if I do