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legs do not feel the same length

Posted , 6 users are following.

valerie48782
valerie48782

my surgeon told me that they had made my legs the same length , but now that i can stand up with my legs together the operated one feels longer! 2 weeks after op and no physio yet - is this a muscle thing or will i be left with a limp on the opposite side to the limp i had before the op?

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Babylon2015
    Babylon2015 valerie48782

    Posted

    Hi Valerie, I am having operation for my left hip next month. My left leg has always been 2.5 cm shorter than my right, i read many articles and discussed with my doctor about leg lengthening, I think your legs are probably the same length but because you have had the other one shorter for quite sometime and the muscle has contracted therefore you feel its weird, i used to get this feeling when my parents used to put an extra heel for my left leg to make them even, never felt comfortable...i think with exercise and stretching it will improve.  We just have to learn how to walk again. Good luck xx
  • dene32609
    dene32609 valerie48782

    Posted

    I had to have a shoe made higher but after having the other kneed done i do need them ,,,,
  • deborah33754
    deborah33754 valerie48782

    Posted

    Valerie...I am 5 weeks out, when I started standing more and walking a little farther, I noticed I would still shift most of my weight to the left foot, I had been compensating for so long it had become "natural"....... I think they call it muscle memory. So now I have to keep reminding myself to put weight on both feet equally..... Takes time but getting there smile

    when do you start physio? That will help a lot!

    • valerie48782
      valerie48782 deborah33754

      Posted

      dont know when physio starts but thanks for your reply, this forum is so helpful razz
    • ginny35168
      ginny35168 deborah33754

      Posted

      I agree with you deborah.  We walked so long with a limp it's almost like re-learning to walk.  I was told by my physical therapist that i really need to "feel" the ground with my foot on my operated leg.  When i walk around i concentrate and keep saying in my head "heal, toe, back straight, look forward and feel the ground!".  Sounds a bit strange, but it works for me.  Ginny USA
    • valerie48782
      valerie48782 ginny35168

      Posted

      at the moment i say to myself - its good to go up and its bad to go down- to remember which leg leads on the stairs so i am sure i will cope with chanting as i walk!
    • lee47625
      lee47625 valerie48782

      Posted

      Haven't gotten that far yet but I'm really glad to learn ways that will be helpful when than the time comes. No one would think I'm crazy because I always tell them I'm talking to the dogs, lol

       

  • ginny35168
    ginny35168 valerie48782

    Posted

    Funny you say that, because when my sister was with me the other day going up the stairs, i was saying up with the good down with the bad under my breath, and she was like "who are you talking to?"......  had to laugh at that one!!! 
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