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Hip replacement 15 months ago

Posted , 6 users are following.

Jayive
Jayive

Hi, I have read many posts and wonder if there is anybody out there who is left in a position similar to me.

My right THR was in May 2013. I said from day one that my leg was longer, the surgeon looked at my xray and that it was 1cm difference, it felt a huge difference to me but he said that I would be able to cope with the difference.

Since then I have been in constant pain, I can't walk more than a few yards (with crutches as I can't keep my balance without them).

I've had various tests, inc MRI, xrays, an aspiration (my wound took 6 weeks to heal), metal allergy tests, steroid injections etc and been seen by a 2nd surgeon (in the same group) who said there was a marginal difference, then a 3rd surgeon (also the same group) who said there was nothing wrong, I felt he was just trying to appease me and to cover for his colleagues. So I now have copy of letters to my GP saying 3 different things.

My GP sent me to the physiotherapist, who measured me with a tape  and says I have 2.5cm difference. I had acupuncture which made no difference. I have already seen the podiatrist and had shoe implants but raising my other leg to the same level only increased the pain when I try to stand.

 

I am now waiting to see a Hip consultant in a different area but there is a long (November) waiting list.

 

0 likes, 20 replies

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  • hope4cure
    hope4cure Jayive

    Posted

    I can really hear you. The leg length difference is quite a medical Mystery for some unknown reason ignored really. Yet when we sit down one knee sticks out farther than the other like a red flag I even had my surgeon come in the room and say wow u r right that leg is longer. Let's take another X-ray. Well nope after the X-ray he shows It's not out of normal range. Yet we r dismissed. The difference in leg length is usually ignored in my three THR esperience. Usually I ask about lifts in my shoes and get peel away heal shaped inserts to put in my shoes. Never helped.

    the doc made a length error in UR case & in mine.The pain resonates thru out the hip leg numbness occurs the bending becomes a issue until UR back where u started before hip replacement. In severe pain.

    I pushed and pushed for answers never ever got resolution until I ended up in ER with a failed hip. X-ray after X-ray proved my hips were within a acceptable range. Yet my body didn't think so. Talk to another doc out of the medical local corporation this orthopedist is in & file a complaint with the orthopedic association. Check into what a lawyer can do on contingency. Lawyers that specialize in THR can refer u to docs that can help...

    best of luck.. Healing thoughts sent UR way.

    ((hugs))

     

  • doug70025
    doug70025 Jayive

    Posted

    Get a supine, full length X-ray of your pelvis and full leg to the foot. That's a much better way to accurately measure the leg if it's an anatomical short leg.

     

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure doug70025

      Posted

      Causes of leg length discrepancy in my experience includes many factors.

      The most common cause of unplanned leg lengthening following hip replacement is that the femoral implant used is too long.  As well as making  feeling unbalanced this will put strain on the soft tissues surrounding the joint.

      In cases of unplanned shortening of the limb there is no additional strain on the soft tissues and I have adjusted  well with shoe lifts.

      If the femoral head has collapsed priory to surgery the muscles surrounding it adapt. They become shorter. When the hip is replaced the leg length will be longer but the shorter muscles will pull the pelvis down and the patient will experience the leg as too long. It takes time for the muscles to adapt. This is the usual case. 

      In some cases the problem is caused by the positioning of the cup part of the joint. 

      It is estimated that 72% of all hip replacement patients will experience some lengthening on the operated side but the difference will be less than 10 mm. Such a small difference won't usually cause a problem as the surrounding soft tissues are not being significantly stretched. There may be some small effect on the spine but again not enough to be problematic.

      X-rays are useful in leg length descrepiencies , but not infallible . A physical therapist has many ways to show leg length differences. 

      See you tube for demonstration.

       

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