Leg length discrepancy

Posted , 5 users are following.

I am 3 months post op. New hip and muscles wonderful. No pain and I can walk miles. The operated leg is still 1 cm longer than unoperated leg. Does anyone have any experience of length becoming good by six months.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi M86599.  It sounds familiar.  I had my left hip replaced 2 years ago.  After about 3 months I felt great too but . . . I felt that there was a discrepancy in the length.  It was suggested that I try a lift in my right shoe to compensate for the difference but it was such a slight difference the lift was more annoying than helpful.  My surgeon didn't see a problem in the x-rays but I could feel it when I walked and I seemed to lean every so slightly.  What I believe has come because of it is back problems.  I've been to back specialist who tell me it's my hip causing the problem and the orthopedic says it's from my back . . . what to say?  They simply don't agree with each other.  In a little over a week I'll be going in for my right hip.  

    I guess the short of the long is, after 2 years I have yet to feel any improvement in the length discrepancy.  Watch your back.

  • Posted

    Hi Margaret,

    It sound familiar, I will 3 months 10 0f January after left hip replecement and my leg is 1.3 cm longer. I was suggested to put lift in your shoes and I did its little bit better . Otherwise my right hip and back getting sore dew the limping. Anyway my right hip have to be done next year hopefully in March and I hope disripency will be resolved with next replecement. I don't have any experience if length of leg will becoming good by six months.

    I wish u good luck and stay positive and watch your back.

    Hug and happy new year 2017 Madla💗

  • Posted

    hi margaret, 

    sounds like you are doing really great !!!  

    Many discussions have taken place regarding leg length differences post-op THR surgery as this is not unusual ...

    Our legs are not the same length to begin with and 1 cm is almost normal even without hip problems.

    In most cases, with exercise, stretching, and healing over 6 to 12 months, the perception of a leg length difference will disappear on its own. 

    The reason for waiting is that the majority of leg-length discrepancy after hip replacement is not a true difference in skeletal lengths. Rather, the discrepancy can be from pelvic that also was affected byt the surgery, then tight muscles and a long time of whatever your body has been doing to compensate for your hip pain.

    Most likely with muscles stretching, exercises, and time, this will resolve ...

    Some physicians advise to get a shoelift others rather have you wait until the body has settled which can be 12 months or longer ...

    To avoid limping you might want to use a cane or other walking aid ...

    Have a Happy New Year

    big warm hug

    renee

    • Posted

      Deer Renee,

      I have 1.3 cm leg discrepancy I put insole into my shoes, my

      PT advice me to use insole. If I walk with no Insole my back

      and non operated hip killing me. My non operated hip is sore much more than used to be. Hopefully in March will be done.

      Like you sad could be pelvic .

      I just want say thank you for suport and everthing and im very

      gretful to you . It's so much kindness in you and in your hard.

      Im wishing you Happy new year 2017 and I hope will great.

      Big hug Madla 💗💗🌷?🌹

    • Posted

      dearest madla, 

      same to you, darling .... you are doing so well and are helping so many people here ... As I said before, there are many different opinions about insoles and so many other things regarding post-op hip replacement surgery ... listen to your body is the best ...

      I know ... the "good" hip will get worse (sorry to say) - It has to support you while the new hip is healing ... I don't know what to say to you .. by the time March comes along you will be happy to get the surgery ... at least I was .. scared and excited ...

      when are you going back to work? are you ready ?  

      in loving embrace and a warm, loving, peaceful and healthy 2017

    • Posted

      I'd like to second the thought that Renee is a star - she is here every day providing help and support to people, and deserves a medal biggrin

      ?But on the issue of leg length, Renee is right - even back in our fit days, our legs weren't the same length. But we grew up with them that way and our entire bodies developed with this skeletal structure being our own personal normal. A very sudden change will have knock on effects, and our bodies will need time to adapt - and that is assuming they can adapt, because remember, we aren't as pliable as we once were. Getting a leg length exactly the same isn't as simple as just making the new bit exactly the same length and size as the old bit. And the new bit is never going to be exactly the same size as the "original bit" - i.e. the bit that you had when the bone wasn't arthritic or whatever. Nobody measured the joints, the tissues and the spaces when it was "perfect"!

      ?I don't know ehether this will help or not, but my physio recommends skin / barefoot shoes around the house (you can even wear them outside in good weather, although here in the UK that is probably three days a year). These are basically shoes that are little more than a "skin" over your foot, and are next to walking around barefoot. Any shoes, even "sensible shoes" do us damage in small ways - and yes, I was shocked at that one too. We weren't designed to wear shoes! By walking barefoot she says that we are helping our bodies to adapt to the new parts. It isn't a "fix" though - just a help. In the end, most people apparently just get used to the new parts.

      ?For my part it has been so long since I could walk hardly at all, I haven't even noticed whether they are the same length or not! Just grateful not to be in  pain. And given that my bone was actually crumbling away, I don't want "that" length back again either!

    • Posted

      Dear Renee it's work both way. All of including you help me go

      Trough the pain, depression, I get advice, and without this and this site I would not go trough. Im not doing bad I do have some time some pain,speciály when weather is hot or change or if I

      over do my excesice and my new hip and body tell me that. The good hip get6worse and im scare to go for operation but on onother hand looking forward to have done ASAP. If I can go next

      week I will go without hesitation belive me. I'm going back to

      work end of January and I will see how I go. This site is like my home and I don't feel so lonely it's like my family you know

      Renee

      What I mean. Thank you for such nice reply

      Big heeling hug to you Madla💗?🌹🌷

    • Posted

      Thank you Beth I will look for that shoes, I can walk barefoot lots and specialy now ,we have Summer here I walk barefoot

      home and around hose. If im going out in put insole in my shoes

      because my back and onother hip are sore. Im happy with my

      new hip no pain only sometimes if I over do my excesice or

      when is weather is to hot like 35 to 41 degrees or change of

      weather. No pain how I used to have before operation.

      In march my next hip will be done and im scare and also looking forward to have done ASAP. You are absolutely right Renee

      Deserve medals not only one few of them.

      Have happy new year 2017.

      Big hug Madla💗🌹

      Ps thank you for everything. Madla

    • Posted

      Thanks for this. It sounds as though you have some medical knowledge. I should have said in previous message that although hip etc is excellent my back hurts when I walk far. Surgeon said he would see me again in six months if back is still a problem. I have always done Pilates, so am now doing back exercises myself. One good exercise hip physio gave me was to march on the spot to use thigh muscles rather than tilting body. That helps. I am hopeful that I will adjust. I wear a shoe raise, out. I have to. Actually difference is 11 mm.

      Thanks again.

    • Posted

      Dear Margaret,

      Im same like you I wear shoe raise when I go out I have to

      Otherwise my non operated hip and back hurting. Hopefully it will adjust. You have happy new year . Take care

      Hug Madlla 💗🌹?

    • Posted

      You'll be familiar with the bridge then? I don't do Pilates, but I come from it with yoga. Use the bridge. Anything that strengthens the back. The hips and the back all connect. But just don't expect an overnight success. It took years to grow up! So it took years to work out how your body worked in the first place, and that was when it was well, and growing into its shape. You won't get results in a few months. Or if you do, that's luck. Here's hoping  for luck.

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