Leg length discrepancy after THR

Hi Laura,  I was adament about making sure I didnt have a leg length difference after surgery and discussed this with my surgeon in depth!  I know it is very common.  After surgery he informed me that my operated leg is 1/4" longer and that I would notice it, but to not get a lift or anything as the pelvis will settle in and it will work itself out.  I am 4 weeks out this week and I do notice it but not nearly as much as at 1st.  I saw myself walking today in a mirror at work and could see the limp and it really bothered me, but I am trying to have hope that the surgeon was currect in being patient and waiting.  I have talked to other friends that were in the same boat and they also assured me that it may take a few months, but it will level out.  Hang in there, it will probably get better.  I was also upset as I did NOT want this issue as it will cause back issues, knee issues, etc if it doesnt go away.  Just have to be patient and see I guess.

Same issue. Anatomical difference of 6 mm, functional is more. Can't do too much without inordinate swelling on operated side. 12 weeks out, trying to be patient, had to return to work part time as a substitute teacher.

Where heel lift in opposite leg and give it a few months When tendons go make to normal most legs even out Takes time and exercise.  Dislocation is my problematic 

Have you had your leg length measured by an orthotist?  4cm is a lot - it’s over an inch an a half.  You may find it will even itself out as 5 weeks is very early days and everything is healing and settling down.  If you still have this difference in a month or so, you will need to speak to your surgeon. I’ve just had revisionary surgery 13 months after my initial hip surgery as my hip had subsided and become loose, leaving me with over 4cm difference in lengths.  I couldn’t walk comfortably at all and was still using a walking stick a year after surgery.  This difference was not noticeable initially.  The revisionary surgery has given me a new, longer, prosthesis and so far - 3 weeks post surgery - it feels much better.  However this was quite drastic, radical surgery and hopefully your leg will sort itself out.  I’m sure yours will settle and even itself out.  Good luck and let us know how you continue.

Firstly, I hope you don’t need revisionary surgery.  My surgeon said he could do nothing for a minimum of 12 months after the first operation, but the hip didn’t subside for about 4-5 months.  I tried heel raisers, raised shoes but nothing worked.  I ended up with awful back and opposite knee pain. My feet are narrow so my foot simply slipped forwards which was quite uncomfortable!  In my case my operated leg was the leg that became shorter.  Yes, the revisionary surgery was painful, but they treated me very well.  I was given a nerve block, an epidural and general anaesthetic.  The epidural remained for two and a half days so it wasn’t too bad. I’d never had one before, not even for for the birth of my children!   I had far more stitches this time and clips, all of which needed removing after 2 weeks whereas last year all the stitches were dissolvable.  I’m now exactly 21 days since surgery and doing very well.  My leg feels much stronger and i can walk with only 1 crutch - but am continuing with 2 for the full 6 weeks as I don’t want anything to go wrong this time.  My surgeon simply doesn’t know why it subsided or became loose in the socket.  (At least that’s what he says!)  He has a very good reputation and also gave my husband a new knee a few years ago.  Everyone speaks very highly of him - I think I was just unlucky.  He tells me he’s given me a longer, tougher stem this time - the socket was fine and didn’t need changing.   I don’t know whether you really want all this information but in my case i think this 2nd surgery has worked - but it’s still very early days.  Good luck and let me know what happens to you.  Best wishes and fingers crossed for you

Hi Laura 

I am seven months post THR and I have a 27 mm leg length discrepancy . 

I too was very upset and was not helped as my surgeon too said that it was 20 mm at the most . 

He said he would not refer me to the pryhotost until I was 6 months. 

The hospital pt referd me herself at 2 day’s post op but then as the nhs orthotist had a 3 month waiting list I was still stuck . 

When I got home from hospital I threw away all my shoes

My husband an I scoured the Internet for insoles to fit in a large pair of boots he bought me. 

I like you felt disabled. 

My back became excruciating. 

At 3 months post op I was at last diagnosed by hospital with a discrepancy of 27 mm . I have had 3 pairs of shoes made up on nhs and others privately 

At my 6 month check up with surgeon he still said he didn’t believe I had a discrepancy that large , but did tell me that he hadn’t been able to push the pin in far enough into my narrow bone which had caused a small discrepancy.

I am now seeing osteopath for my back which at Seven months is very slowly improving. 

She says it is caused because all the muscles tendons blood vessels etc have got to grow to match the bone . This is pulling on my lower back 

I am having a second opinion at a different hospital in a couple of weeks time with a view to maybe having a revision and also suing my original surgeon 

I don’t know if any of this helps but at least you know you are not alone .

Did your surgeon give a reason for your discrepancy ?

Thinking of you 

Pam

Hello again

On reading my long hastily written post I have spotted all the typos. Sorry about that .

The main one I want to correct was that my surgeon would not believe my discrepancy was more than 10 mm not 20 mm . 

Do contact me for any more info or support if it would help

Pam

Hi Laura. I am 5months post op and I was the same ... But as time goes by it gets less ! Due to it all bedding down . I had heel raiser for couple month but no longer need it 😊

Hi Laura

Yes I have a discrepancy of 1.5inches not what I planned at all, I'm 4 months now. I have a shoe lift which has helped on and off but I notice I'm really unstable in the shower and got really upset when my husband suggested we look into what sandals I can wear for a holiday 😔 how do I walk bare feet in the sand now?

I'm m having physio and do see some very small improvements, I can't walk without a crutch as I have a massive limp. My surgeon had to put a size to big in as the size smaller was u stable, the problem with the size bigger was getting it into my thigh bone it wouldn't go down far enough causing the discrepancy. I had an apology from my surgeon he said I could have my thigh bone cut lower in a year.

It's going to be a slow recovery some days my back is killing but the more I move and exercise the better I will get.

Good luck with yours x