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leg length discrepancy causing pain but other hip isnt bad enough to replace

Posted , 7 users are following.

helen248
helen248

the new leg length discrepancy of 1 and a half inches is causing me problems and i feel like im between a rock and a hard place really. The left hip will need doing at some point but i dont think its advanced enough to get it done in the next 12 months. The uneven gait is clearly causing problems in my left hip, knees, back and pelvis and I suspect also perpetuating the pain in my op leg. Im waiting to see orthotics to get my shoes altered but i can only get 2 pairs done which at the moment has to be my trainers so what about wellies, walking boots, sandals and winter boots? I know im living in trainers at the moment but that wont be forever (i hope) and i would like to take the dog out at some point and hopefully do a bit of gardening. 

Do I have a reasonable argument for asking him to replace the other hip before it needs it due to OA? 

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Hailea
    Hailea helen248

    Posted

    Hi Helen I am sorry you have ended up like this.

    I would suggest that you phone your surgeons secretary and ask to see him for a consultation. Only he will know if he is willing to go ahead with your other hip. But make sure you make it very clear to him that it is affecting your quallity of life. That usually gets you back on his list for the second op. Do not take no for an answer. Be kind but very firm in your request.

    • helen248
      helen248 Hailea

      Posted

      im pretty gutted really. i feel that if the leg hadnt been lengthened id be almost pain free by now, which for me is a very big deal and something i would have liked very much. Im sad ive ended up with even more problems trying to solve a problem...AGAIN. this always happens to me. i had knee surgery for a subluxing patella and ended up with complex regional pain syndrome. i had my big toes fused due to OA and now have OA in the end of the toes and in the next toe along, plus a CRPS spread to the left foot. nothing is ever simple with me. i darent tell my husband how sore its making me. he must be so sick of it by now. My 6 week followup is a week Thursday so ill talk to him then. 

      Thanks for understanding Hailea. I know you have had bad news today too. I hope you get some relief from it all soon. 

    • Hailea
      Hailea helen248

      Posted

      Yeah I am pretty gutted with the way things have gone for me too so I know how you feel Helen. I had my left hip done 8 weeks ago today and went in to see my consultant only to find my right hip had colapsed and I am going back in for my second hip op a lot soomner than he had planned. I am really in pain now and I can feel the joint moving about inside. So I know how you must feel with reguard to pain. Maybe not the same as you but pain isn't a good thining. Like I said you need to get back intouch with your consultant and say your quality of life is being affected because of his operation. Say you really are in pain and it is affecting you. I would phone his secretary asnd ask if you can have your appontment brought forward if you think you need too. As for your hubby. Sit him down for a chat tell him exactly how you feel and the reason why and he will understand. I am sure he will  be concerned for you any way. if you explain to him he won't be sick of hearing about it. Honest. You can only understand someone in REAL pain if you have / are going through it yourself Helen. I hope you are going to be listened too & thank you for your kind words. I am phoning my consultants secretary in the morning to ask her what his work load is like to give me a chance to get everything packed again so if I get in quock I am ready for it. At least I can use my ipad to come on the forum while I am on the ward this time.
  • angela16057
    angela16057 helen248

    Posted

    Hi Helen,

    I am in the exactly same position as you and it can be a daunting nightmare but there is some hope, my orthodist made me an wedge insole which is ideal for my wellies and walking boots. 

    I don't wear trainers and finding sandles/shoes is a problem. They can raise ankle boots and mine pair was ok and discreet but I didn't like the way in which they raised a pair of shoes for me. 

    my wedge fits in my garden crocs and I know have another pair for indoors.

    i managed to find a pair of sandles with an back on the rear of shoe to keep the wedge in and it has an ankle strap so I can do it up. I had to go a size larger but shoe soles work ok.

    i wish you well and get an wedge insole from your orthodist.

    i am happy to wait until left hip needs replacing my right hip, I would like a chance to walk the dog and do the garden again for a bit

    kind regards angela

    • helen248
      helen248 angela16057

      Posted

      Physio have said they cant do a wedge that big as it will put my foot at too great an angle and would also make my shoe fall off. I have to have lifted soles. 
    • nicolasav1975
      nicolasav1975 helen248

      Posted

      Hi Helen. Sorry i dont know your history..how long ago did you get your THR? Did hour consultant tell you the reason for the leg length discrepancy? I know sometimes it can happen & cant be helped due to whatever is needed to be done/parts used during surgery. I had mine done in january and leg felt so much longer & actually measured well over an inch longer which i was really worried about. It turns out my pelvis was tilted (and still is slightly). Having done loads of physio theres now only about 1cm difference which i hardly notice. Its just a thought but if its really affecting your life/hurting you then they surely can put you forward for it now.

      Nicola xxx

  • renee01952
    renee01952 helen248

    Posted

    Good morning helen ... I am so incredibly sorry ... I hope you will get an appointment with your surgeon soon and have a good talk with him ... why does it have to go worse first before they do something .. I hope today is a better day for you and you will be able to make that call ... hang in there - warm hug
  • angela16057
    angela16057 helen248

    Posted

    Hi Helen,

    i have to have a raised sole too, I have an inch difference in leg lengths. I am sorry that's what the physio has said. But it is worth checking with the orthodist as I asked him how can I wear wellies and that's what he gave me and they work in my wellies and walking boots. The physio is right they are no good with shoes or most boots.

    i too had lots of pain with my other hip and back whilst I was limping but once I was on the even the pain reduced. 

    I hope you can resolve your pain too

    kind regards Angela

  • helen248
    helen248

    Posted

    im 5 weeks post op tomorrow and doing ok apart from the problems  caused by my longer leg. The reason for lengthening the leg was that my muscles were so severely atrophied that he couldnt get enough tension to secure the joint. If he had made my legs equal length i would have constantly suffered dislocations and the joint wouldnt have been stable enough to be viable. The whole attitude from them is never mind, we'll even you up when we do the other one but its not bad enough to do yet as far as im aware. 

    as for lifts, i have severe oa in my feet too. my big toes are fused so i have a limit in the heel height i can stand and also further arthritis in my other toes so putting my weight on the ball of my foot is going to cause more problems. 

  • valerie190541
    valerie190541 helen248

    Posted

    Hi Helen, I had the same problem although I only have an inch difference. I was sent to the Orthotic dept and they have given me a heel uplift, although only about 1/2 inch but it is enough to stop the back ache.  My other hip will also have to be done at some stage but I will have to have both knees replaced before that.  I also went to a chiropractor who got my pelvis back so this reduce the length to 1 inch as it was more before the treatment.  I have now just got some gel soles to put in my shoes to cover the whole of the sole and heel which I can put in fitflops and sandals, this may help at a later stage once you have got used to walking again.  I am 8 months post op so it takes a while and going again to the chiropractor to make sure all is in place again, it is amazing the difference it can make.  Hope this helps.  Valerie
  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee helen248

    Posted

    Hi Helen,

    I believe that you have a more than reasonable reason to demand that something be done! Go for a second opinion to a different doctor. Find out why there is that much length discrepancy to begin with because THAT is an error made by the surgeon!

    I do not know all of your particulars yet, like how long ago was your surgery?

    Your body is and will continue to take a beating with that much discrepancy and a revision surgery might be needed.

    NHS or private pay or here in the States, patients have rights! Never allow any doctor or medical system make you feel like a bother, or make you feel that their mistake is your fault, or that they are God and you have no right to expect decent medical care!

    Here is what my motto is: YOU are a part of the whole medical team and YOU have a say about your body because YOU live in your body, not them! IN FACT, (and here comes the best part of all), you are THE MOST IMPORTANT MEMBER of the medical team!

    Never forget this! Doctors "practice" on us and they make mistakes.

    Hugs to you! I will go read everyone else's comments and want you to know that THIS SITE is THE place to be for information, survival tips, sharing, caring, supporting and cheering on.

    💛 Dawn, USA

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee

      Posted

      Ok, After reading more, i understand why the leg discrepancy had to be.

      So, in your effort to have your other hip done sooner, perhaps you can use your atrophy condition, which will be even worse in a year, as your logical basis for your demand.

      Yes I am strong in advocating for myself and have had to be since I am like a magnet for healthcare professionals who to not behave professionally, but I get my way in a firm, diplomatic direct way. Atrophy is perhaps your key and three to four months inbetween THR's will assure your atrophy does not cause the next THR to be even trickier. Worth a go? Hope so!

      Hugs

      💛 Dawn, USA

    • helen248
      helen248 DawnDedee

      Posted

      yes that is exactly my point. besides the damage being so uneven will undoubtedly cause, i clearly have reason to be concerned about the next hip being left too long. if i had insisted on surgery a year ago instead of allowing everyone to convince me of the benefits of waiting as long as possilbe (too young to need a new hip apparently) my muscles would have been stronger and better able to hold the joint. 

      I suspect I suffer from EDH which i simply dont have the energy to pursue a diagnosis for but that explains the crazy amount of atrophying i have suffered. 

      I think my next surgery will be with the proviso that if im not as near as damn it level afterwards i will be demanding a revision. With all the musculoskeletal problems i have i cannot be unlevel for the rest of my life. 

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure helen248

    Posted

    Have you a copy of the X-rays from surgery as well as before and after. Ask for them . Do you know what manufacturer and what type the implant is? I&1/2" is quite a difference. Our legs are normally a different length but the surgery table has protocols to be sure the implant is aligned before the patient is released from the surgery. Was the surgery due to OA or RA?

    There is also the managing director of the doctors hospital that is used. As well as your insurance company to ask for an explaination . Ask to talk to the head of surgery in that dept. ask the questions to get answers you need. Even if you need representation. 

    Then set up an appt. with another hip specialist. Another opinion . Have you seen thr surgery on you tube? It may help you to decide on what questions to ask and how to negotiate the next step. It helps to see the proceedure in a clean way and hear the explaination.

    There are many attorney's familiar with what's happened in your case and can help you find the next step to resolve the medical issues. Call the nearest county assistant attorney office for which dept or agency that can help you.

    There are many reasons for the leg length difference, but 1 1/2" is not common. Finding the answers requires having a real talk with the surgeon. 

    If he was a real doc who showed his patience good care he would have told you in the first place why there was a reason for the leg length discrepancy.

    Sometimes hospitals have a patient advocacy program. Check with the hospitals administration. 

    Hope

    • helen248
      helen248 hope4cure

      Posted

      There are reasons for the LLD which i fully understand so have no intention of alienating my surgeon by threatening legal action. Besides which i signed a release that clearly said my leg might change in length. Granted at the time he was talking mm rather than inches but even he wasnt expecting the level of atrophy and bone erosion he found once he got in there. 

      His solution was "ill even you up when I do the other one" but i dont want to wait a year for that to happen. 

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