Leg length discrepancy after right thr
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi everyone, I have been having pain in my hip that I got thr surgery on. I had surgery on April 3, 2027 so about 6 months ago. I had a VERY painful front groin pain and still have not been able to put pants on without pain, putting on shoes and not able to lift my leg in a straightened position lying on my back. The doctor said I would be able to lift the leg in that way after 12 weeks. I believed him. Now well past 12 weeks and I still can't lift it. I have also had severe numbness down the front of my thigh and to my knee. This was there right away after the surgery. And now the numbness is going away in some spots and am having shooting pain in a spot by my knee. And the entire front of my leg, from right below the incision all the way to my knee is just so painful that even when my kids tap that area to get my attention it is painful. I have also had some burning pain that was apparent right after surgery in the numb leg which I had discussed with the doctor, along with having a discussion about the numbness.
I had gone back to see him several times now and every time I have come in with another complaint, he has just not even have seemed to care. The only time he looked at the hip was the first and second follow up visits. The last three he has not even looked at the hip. I also have noticed that my muscle looks like it is bunched up below the scar, almost like it has come apart or wasn't sewn right. But the doctor did not ask to see it despite me telling that I was having pain in that area. I have had to wait a month or more each time I came back, so the pain was just getting worse and the tendon became so painful even after taking major doses of nsaids voltarin, zovarex, ibuprofen and tylonel which he prescribed all at the same time. He prescribed the prescription only about the third or fourth post op visit. This was not a good idea to take all four medications apparently because I had told him that is what I was doing he had a shocked look on his face and told me that I can't take the two prescription meds together. Yet I was prescribed the two medications at the same time, therefore it was his fault I took them together because I didn't know I could only take one of those and not both, but why would he prescribe both if he didn't intend for me to take both. I have also been having back pain, pinching pain in the pelvic area and can physically feel like I'm walking up a step when I am stepping forward. And I know it is noticeable when in public.
All of this has caused pain, increased anxiety and depression that I had prior to surgery. This has been getting much worse than prior to surgery. Not to mention not being able to sleep at all some nights from worrying about why my hip and leg still hurts.
So yesterday I went to see a revision specialist to look at it, and boy oh boy is this doctor so much more empathic than the surgeon who did the thr. This is because I feel like the surgeon just did not give a rats, you know what, about me telling him I'm having this pain. The only thing he has done was prescribe nsaids and order steroid shots the last time I went to him. Anyhow the new doc has said that my leg that had the thr is about 1 inch longer than the other. And now I have to possibly go through another surgery to fix it. So I'm am now worrying even more because I'm terribly afraid to have to do another surgery on this leg. The bad experiences has totally turned me off to that option. The dr said it was absolutely not right that my right leg that's longer is very noticeable by examination.
I had also told her about the bunched up muscle and the then examined it. She said it was unusual and wasn't sure what caused it. Also she has ordered bloodwork and wants me to go in for an MRI as well as a joint aspiration. Not sure if I said that right. The fluid will then be taken to a special lab not in my state, it is the only lab that tests for what they will be looking for. So in just one visit this doctor has showed more of an inclination to help me than my surgeon did the whole time I saw him.
Now I am left wondering why the surgeon never checked leg length after surgery. Nor did he even ask to see the leg the last three times I went in. He never let me see any X-rays the second time on. He just kept saying that everything looks great but that is far from the truth he just didn't care to listen to what I was saying.
I don't know what to do if I have to go through another surgery to fix this. I'm very scared it will boil down to that.
I'm just needing some advice as to what I should do from this point.
Thank you in advance for any replies you can offer to possibly help me.
Thank you
0 likes, 10 replies
stacy17516 LadyArwen
Posted
Oh lady. I am so sorry for what you have been through, I am 4 weeks with my right hip replacement. I agree and have been saying that there was really a lack of interest in my after care from my surgeon. I had horrific swelling in ankles and leg. Much better though now. I had to see my ortho dr twice and he didn't seem interested in my pain and swelling I went to er hired a private nurse and then finally I called my regular dr and he was very concerned. He is sending me in for blood clott tests and suggests that I get a shoe lift for the leg that is shorter now after surgery. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Sounds like you are with a better dr. Good luck and I am sure this form will be very helpful to you. Stacy
LadyArwen stacy17516
Posted
Hi Stacy, I do feel like this dr is way more concerned for me than my surgeon. I is actually trying to figure out what's wrong and taking his time to do it. He isn't treating me like cattle like some Drs do. I feel like it will get better.
I think this forum is a great resource and I will read others and try to help. The new Dr also told me that all the pain I am experiencing, from tendinitis, to the numbing and pain in leg is from too large of a discrepancy so it is messing with my tendons and nerves so I'm pretty sure it will get worse rather than better. I will try to read as many posts as possible and hopefully I will be able to help someone here to help cope. Thank you for your time and attention. It's great having people why can sympathize with others.
maree32074 LadyArwen
Posted
This is just awful. Did you do physio in hospital? I have nerve/tendon and scar tissue damage after THR and was shown physio in hospital and then when I was out I had a personal physio to deep massage the thigh. It hurt but did wonders. I still have problems getting in and out of bed/car but greatly improved. You dont appear to have much faith in your surgeon, is it possible to get a second opinion. Also, if you get exact measurement of legs you can have build up to the heels of your shoes (boot maker) which will save further surgery - a friend of mine has done this and it works for her. I am in Australia.
LadyArwen maree32074
Posted
Hello Maree, yes I have just gotten a second opinion yesterday and they have said they will order those things to determine true length in my legs.
This new dr has informed me of how the nerves and tendons are affected by leg length discrepancies because the nerves and tendon is stretched from the length.
I am very sorry you have had to go through what I have been going through. I think a second opinion in your situation would be a good idea. Some drs are too afraid to admit their mistakes from fear of being sued, but to do that is an ethics thing as far as I'm concerned. It would have been so much easier to find all this out probably after the bones fuse into the prosthetic devices. Hope this will help you with your sufferings as well. Thank you for your time and concern for me.
Best regards
Rocketman_SG6UK LadyArwen
Posted
Sounds like you had a surgeon with little or no 'bedside manner'. According to a nurse I spoke to, this is not uncommon for orthopaedic surgeons. When my surgeon messed up my hip, he actually lied to me about what he was going to do to sort it out. I am going through the legal process for compensation for the trauma, extra time off work, extra risks of a second (and possibly third) surgery etc. over 2 years after my original THR.
There does seem to be a complete lack of understanding of the problems of recovering from, what is to them a 'simple' operation that lasts about an hour on average. Sounds like your surgeon was as bad as mine, and your new doctor is like my new surgeon who is at RNOH Stanmore, which is a bit of a trip compared to my local hospital, but SO worth it to find someone who knows what he's doing.
Graham
LadyArwen Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
Hi Rocketman,
Thank you for your time reading this. I was thinking the exact thing about finding representation but im not sure if it would even stand up in court. I would like to think these surgeons would be accounted for their actions but apparently they haven't learned from other lawsuits that this lack of professionalism is absolutely avoidable and uncalled for. These drs are taking advantage of the fact that people won't question them. When I called to ask if I could get my medical records his PA called me back and asked what I needed it for, and asked if it was for a PCP or another dr, I didn't know why she asked so it caught me offgard, I then told her that it was indeed for a revision specialist? When I told her it was for she was adamant that I send her a fax number to their office and not pick them up. I told her I would get it but the other PA from new doc said they can't deny me the records, so I marched down to the surgeons building and told them I had an appointment the next day so I would need them now. At first the lady said it would take about 2 weeks for her to "prepare?" The records?? So I told them that I couldn't get a hold of the new drs office to get the correct fax number. They came out with my records thirty minutes later. Kinda baffled me. So I looked through the records, didn't know what it all meant exactly but it did say a horizontal incision to the fascia, I am guessing he made a horizontal cut on top of crease but this is not where the cut is it is about 1 in below the crease so you can see it when I'm wearing panties and bathing suits. The whole point of a bikini cut is to keep it from showing when wearing a bathing suit? He also states that in all visits he discussed the X-rays in length. He did not say anything about them other than "xray looks good" I honestly don't think he spent near as much time on me as he should have. And it is totally unjust for a dr to get away with blatantly not giving a crap about their patients. He says he discussed the process in deatail and that I still wanted to proceed with the surgery. The only thing he said to me was that the length may be a little off and he was doing an anterior bikini cut. Now I'm left with a huge ugly red scar that will be visible to everyone if I do wear a bathing suit. And to top it off this muscle has slid down so I think he cut right through it instead of moving them out of the way. It really p****s me off! This is malpractice at its finest, if I have ever seen it.
I really hope You are compensated, ten times over when this litigation is finally finished for you. These doctors have to start being more responsible. They are putting people's lives at stake by causing grief and heartache to those who have to deal with their mistakes.
Please keep me informed as to your progress with the lawsuit. I hope you get your surgeon for punitive damages too. I wish you luck, and hope this all gets better for you.
Rocketman_SG6UK LadyArwen
Posted
It's not for a PA to deny you your records, in most countries it is your right to have your records. I requested my records, and the hospital never ever provided them, in the end my legal representatives requested them and sent me copies.
Like your notes, my notes seem to indicate discussions that did not happen, and miss out discussions (and promises of actions) that did occur.
I know just what you mean about the language that doctors use, I usually have to resort to looking them up in Wikipedia or similar. Fascia seems to be a band or sheet of connective tissue - which could be almost anywhere on the body.
Best wishes
Graham
LadyArwen Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
Hi again Rocketman, yes I agree totally with you, doctors don't have a right to withhold your records. Just goes to show you how manipulative they can be when their back are up against a wall. We all should have every right to receive our records as requested. The medical board should have been called for that one. It all seems kind of sneaky and suspicious.
Just a shame on them for trying not to admit for their mistakes.
I am left in a position that I may have to go through another surgery and I am extremely afraid to go through another one because of the surgeon not caring at all when I brought it to his attention. He could have, and should have, at the very least told me soon enough that the bones don't adhere to the implant. This is their responsibility. If the new doctor knew just by looking at me that it was most likely to be the leg discrepancies that was causing the pain. And to top it off I can feel that the tendon in operated leg is way thicker and more prominent just by feeling it. It's absolutely irresponsible and shows how we are just cattle to them. Wolves hunting their prey.
Good luck to you with your endeavors. Hope you are compensated well for your pain and suffering as well as any mental anguish you have suffered because of this torture you have had to endure thus yet. Still don't know exactly what's ahead but hopefully it's not anything you can't manage.
Best wishes
claudia95892 LadyArwen
Posted
Hi ladyArwen. In 1996, I had my left hip done and my leg was left an inch shorter. I had to put a rise in my shoe but it caused horrible back pain but I lived with it. In December 2016, the spike came loose and they gave me a new hip. I had it done at a major teaching hospital in Canada..7 months later they had to do my tight leg. Now both my legs are the same length. After 4 months o am able to raise my legs straight up. Doing physio in water twice a week and doing pelvic floor exercises once a week and going to the gym every day. My legs are at their best 😮got more flexibility and endurance. It sounds like your new doctor is trying to help. It is hard but try to stay as positive as you can. Best of luck
LadyArwen claudia95892
Posted
Hi Claudia, thank you for sharing your story with us. That is a lot to have to endure from a surgery that should have been accurate to begin with. The problem I have been left with is either, leg being too long pulling tendon to limits my body isn't used to, my tendon had been nicked, or something is not right with the placement of the Prosthetic components.
Either way it is so very uncalled for that you had to have bone cut from a good leg because the first surgery was botched. Doctors should and can be, very much more accurate. It is a shame you had to endure this due to a mistake.
I am however happy to see I looks like you are doing great! Great news and glad your on your feet even though a tiny bit shorter.😉 Just joking. It really is good to hear your doing good today.
Best wishes