Leg longer after THR

Im 8 weeks post op. I felt just like you describe. But have to say it has all settled as the swelling and bruising subsides. Is slitely sore and its a differant shape to the good hip. But still very early days. I hope yours settles too. X its very early days.

Hi

I felt exactly the same as you after my hip replacement. The moment I looked at my legs I felt my left looked longer and when I tried to walk it was kind of dragging as it was too long. (I'm 41 and had a childhood hip deformity which I knew about before surger and my left leg was a little shorter)

I felt devastated and really worried about it until my 6 week check up. My consultant said there was not a length discrepancy. They had added a little length to even me out and it was my pelvis that needed to realign. I wasn't convinced at the time, but 4 months on I can see and feel that my legs are almost even now.

I did suffer with back ache and knee ache where everything was having to get used to being different, but it is getting easier. The back ache has almost gone and my knee has improved.

This could be the same problem you are having so don't despair just yet.

All the best.

Sarah x

Blessed - At 1 week I can tell you from 2THR's you still have alot of swelling in and around your hip, so you maybe getting a false idea of what is going on.

I have a 20mm leg length discrepancy after my 2THR, ! loke you identified this issue the first time I stood up and like you the physio's and the Dr's who happened to be in the room as I got out of the bed said its all swelling, your hip is perfect.

at about 6 weeks I finally got a long leg x-ray done which showed the 20mm difference, and many months later a private ortheopedic surgeon showed me how I should have been checked when I complained.

First you need a floor or bench seat, and a second person.

Lie on your back, stretched out, this is where the second person comes in, you must be in straight, shoulders hips knees and ankles all nice and straight, then draw your knees up towards your hips, keeping your heels on the bench, firm bed, you will be able to see the difference in length at your knees if it exists, again you need somebody to check you from you feet end that you are not leaning one way or the other, you need to be straight, physio amazed when I showed her, its soo obvious, in my case. If you have deformed pelvis in any way this measurement would not be valid, again your are just measuring leg length, so titled pelvis would not be taken into consideration I would think.

I have in my case been able to find a heel lift at the local chemist shop that suits me perfectly, and have finally tracked down a older retired shoe and boot maker, who tells me he has helped many people with leg length discrepanies, I told him how mine came about, and he said yes he should be able to help me, also he noted that adjusting that length should be dealt with a few mm at a time rather than going for broke and giving me 3/4 inch in one go, he said you will have terrible back pain otherwise, he laughed when I told him I already have that after my surgery..

Some great replies from people that have already been there, That is what this forum is so good for.

Keep up the exercises and the rest, let your (new) body find it's equilibrium again after years of pain and negative stance.

Time is a great healer, but only you can help it along, don't do too much, but too little will take longer, so listen to what your body (and it's age/condition) and find the best way forward.

In the UK, we generally get this operation for free; in the States maybe you pay and expect a better service. But I believe that the Doctors and surgeons do this to improve your standard of life, make you better. there are plenty of other joibs for better pay and more time off. Trust your Doctor.

Hope you feel better every week, but do expect some setbacks along the way. This time next year is the real time to report back !

GOOD LUCK.

The first thing to address is that you are a very new post-op patient. Your body has gone through a terpene duos amount of trauma. You need to relax and take one day at a time. I measured my recovery in 3 week increments. Every 3 weeks I was much better 3 weeks prior. My recovery went very slow as I developed trochanteric bursitis when I increased my walking distance. My op leg is definitely longer than the other. I am almost 5 months post-op now and I cannot take a long walk like most people can. E leg length is a problem as it will cause hip and back pain. With that said it feels better than a few months ago and no orthopedic surgeon will ever admit to a significant leg length difference as they are concerned about litigation. My doctor told me the difference was insignificant. It's not. It's a little over 1/2 inch. That is significant. I finally found inserts for my shoes that are think enough and I can walk much better. Give it time and be more patient. Everyone's leg feels much longer in the beginning. Good luck to you. 

Hi again All ,

​I just wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH for sharing your testimonies, your support and encouragement towards me. The theme is relax my worries, rest my body, excersise as direccted by Phyios, work with Physios on my personal needs, rest my body especially between now and the 1st op reveiw appointment.

​I have heard and will do just that now. Once again, thank you all and see you in other threads and God bless you all on your own journey to full recovery.  

xxx

​

Hi Blessed,

I too could have sworn that my leg was longer than the other with all three of my THR's, but in the end, when all was settled, I ended up perfectly even.  It was always in the beginning that it appeared to be a discrepency, but it was not true in the end.  I hope this is the case for you.  It is best to just wait it out.  

Happy healing!

Dawn, USA