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Leg length discrepancy?

Posted , 11 users are following.

JillEag
JillEag

Hello fellow hip op patients.  I had a RTHR on 7th May and was a bit upset to find my operated leg is now a good 10mm longer than my left leg.   The surgeon had to do a bone graft as the joint was so badly worn. He then told me that the other hip needs doing before it gets as bad.  I'm hoping when I have the second operation it will make both legs the same length.  Has anyone else had this problem.  Glad I found this forum, it's good to get  other people's experiences.  Thanks

0 likes, 24 replies

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  • renee01952
    renee01952 JillEag

    Posted

    Hi Jill ...  I am 9 weeks post op R THR and had my follow up visit with surgeon last week (at 8 weeks) - x-ray showed that my  left hip's cartelidge is going with the speed of light and I will need surgery on that hip too ... sigh ... but now I read so many posts from the wonderful people on this forum that they are facing the same - my operated right leg is also 10 mm shorter which is 1 centimeter - I mentioned this to my physical therapist yesterday and she responded: and your point is ???? she pointed out that we all have some difference in our legs .. 1 centimeter is not much and the muscles  are still healing and stretching ---- take it easy and take care .... big hug
    • JillEag
      JillEag renee01952

      Posted

      Thank you Renee, your phsical therapist doesn't sound very sympathetic, I think the difference in leg length is a little difficult to cope with when it wasn't a problem before.  I hope your second op goes well. Hugs for you too 
  • Guest
    Guest JillEag

    Posted

    Hi I am 8 wks post op RTHR and like you my leg is now about 10mm longer but my surgeon told me this may be the case but as both my hips were well naffed he told me he will do my second hip after 3 months which I have got a date for that he would reajust the lenght then, so I would your surgeon will do the same

    Regards Ron

    • JillEag
      JillEag Guest

      Posted

      Hi Ron, sounds like you're the same as me as my unoperated hip is well worn too so maybe that's why that leg is now shorter.  The surgeon told me my operated leg is now anatomically correct so hopefully when the other one is done that will be too,  My friends told me I was getting shorter! lol
    • Guest
      Guest JillEag

      Posted

      Hi Jill lol yes I was 6' 1/2" but due to prolapsed disks etc I shrunk to  5' 10,1/2" so I told my surgeon he can lenghen my legs as much as he like lol

      Regards  Ron

       

    • Guest
      Guest Guest

      Posted

      that made me laugh Ron smile I am having mine done tomorrow, but when I first saw the Consultant 12 weeks ago for the second time he said my left leg was 1.5 inches shorter than my right and that when he had done the LTHR hopefully they would be the same. I had noticed I was walkiing with a limp but just put it down to pain never realised my leg had got shorter. Wonder what it will feel like to stand straight again?
    • edarlingb
      edarlingb Guest

      Posted

      I just had mine lengthened by 4cms. Plus, replacement rotated so that foot faces forward instead of inwards. Have to say it does feel weird, but latter, I think, has added to the pain, understandably.
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