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6 months post thr - 3cm leg length discrepancy

Posted , 6 users are following.

Pippyj
Pippyj

I’m wondering whether anyone else has had ‘subsidence’ post surgery.  Apparently straight after surgery my legs were even but now 6 months on my operated leg has shortened by 3cm.  This makes walking painful as I walk like a duck and still have to use a walking stick.  The hospital has sent a pair of my boots off to have one  sole raised by 3cm.   Inserts in my shoes can’t be the full 3 cm as my foot would slide forwards.  Consequently I have half that as a heel raiser but it makes my shoes smaller and I now have a painful big toe as well as a painful leg.  I’m really fed up as I still can’t walk far and also love my collection of shoes and boots that are now uncomfortable to wear.  Any suggestions?

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • AlexandriaGizmo
    AlexandriaGizmo Pippyj

    Posted

    Hi that's quite a big discrepancy, its over an inch, have you asked for an xray to look at where the prosthetic hip goes in?? To have dropped in that far would tell me that your pain is possibly more from the change in hip.

    Did orthotics measure your legs.

    • Pippyj
      Pippyj AlexandriaGizmo

      Posted

      Hi and thanks for your reply.  Yes, I’ve seen the X-ray.  It seems the stem of the new hip has gone further down into the bone,  post surgery. I saw the X-ray initially taken post surgery and the new X-ray taken a few days ago.  I saw the othortist at the hospital who commented, after seeing the X-ray, that the stem was shorter than he would have expected.  He’s arranging for a pair of my boots to have one side raised.  However the consultant says it’s the best ceramic hip available.  I can’t comment as I’m no expert.  I just know I’m in pain at the front of my thigh and it hurts to walk far. I’m seriously unhappy with the result.
    • AlexandriaGizmo
      AlexandriaGizmo Pippyj

      Posted

      Hi how sad is it that you go into a hip replacement hoping to be better than you were before and it isn't always the case, its nothing to do with the type of hip they put in it can happen to anyone , but usually not quite so much, are you game for a repeat as that could rectify the difference, if not, see how you go after the lift is put on, ask for some hydrotherapy as well that can strengthen muscles as it sounds like your muscles are weak as well

    • Pippyj
      Pippyj AlexandriaGizmo

      Posted

      Thanks.  Yes, I’m already trying hydrotherapy in a swimspa.  I’m reluctant to have more surgery to be honest.  I’ll see how the new boot goes and they’ll do the same to a couple of other pairs if it works.  My fingers are crossed
  • RichardKen
    RichardKen Pippyj

    Posted

    Dear Pippy

    That's a real PITA for you. However good the prosthesis is the success of the surgery is of course dependent on other factors, so not a very helpful remark for your surgeon to make in the circumstances!

    I wonder if the surgeon said that you had weak or soft bone. This should have been obvious when removing the ball from the femur. If this was the case I would want to know what steps if any were taken to stop the stem of the prosthesis sinking further into the femur when you started weight bearing.

    There is of course the possibility that the surgeon made the hole in your femur over size and the stem simply has moved deeper in giving you a loss of leg length.

    In the circumstances if I was in your situation I would be seeking a second opinion from a really good surgeon in a different hospital ASAP.

    I hope you manage to get this sorted out soon because the idea of being stuck with this situation is not good.

    Cheers Richard

    • Pippyj
      Pippyj RichardKen

      Posted

      Thanks Richard.  I’ll certainly think about it and discuss it with my husband.  You’re absolutely right about it not being a good situation to be left in.
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