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Length of thigh looks different

Posted , 5 users are following.

martinarvelo
martinarvelo

Strange that after four weeks, I have suddenly noticed that when sitting absolutely straight, with both my feet together, the operated leg's thigh looks about an inch and ahalf shorter than the other leg. . Anyone else seen this?  Doesn't seem to make the whole leg shorter . . but just seems strange!

0 likes, 18 replies

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  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 martinarvelo

    Posted

    You are still doing strengthening, streatching and mobility excercises to get the leg back to normal. I expect that prior to surgery you were walking with a limp, taking short, unnatural strides and the entire leg atrophied to an extent that you didn't fully appreciate. In my personal situation, I had to have radiation because of the tumor and it really fried and shrunk the tissue, It took several years to get all of the elasticity and slength back. This is not to say there might not ne a permanent situation but certainly nothing to be concerned about at 4 weeks. You are at the point that something new will pop up every few days and will cause anything from conern to near panic but it's all part of the process. There is so much more system trauma to joint replacement than doctors ever openly discuss prior to surgery. Even the pre op seminars are just "tip of the iceburg" sessions. Stay with this forum and you ill get so much good advice from those that have been through so much. The compassion and caring here will help you know when you are on track and when you need to get back to your doc. Keep working on the excercises and good things will happen, 
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Thanks OFG!  It just surprised me when I realised . .doesn't seem to be a problem though!  Over here (tenerife) I didn't get any pre-op information at all, except "You'll have to use crutches for a month, and a stick for three months . . " That was the sum total of the information .  I didn't look on internet, or I would probably have scared myself out of having the operation!  glad I've found this forum now though!

        

  • MCanada
    MCanada martinarvelo

    Posted

    Hi Martin, It is amazing what changes we see as we recover and our bodies adjust to the new joints. I marvel at my straight legs after decades of what my surgeon called "windswept legs". He tells me this is the medical term for one bowleg and one knock knee. Lol

    Well they are straight now and the rest of my body is still a bit out of kilter so I have been seeing my chiropractor. He is working on my ankles, hips and lower back. As I strengthen and my mobility increases I find that my limbs are beginning to match in size and length again. It is one of the strangest things! There is really no way to explain it to someone who has not experienced it for oneself. Maybe try going to the chiropractor. It might help.

    Mary

    3 months (right) and 1 year old ( left)knees.

    • betty07083
      betty07083 MCanada

      Posted

      Hi Mary

      I'm interested in learning more about your Chiropractor sessions. What does he do exactly when you say he's working on your ankles, hips & lower back? Massage, stretching, exercises? Is this in addition to PT?

      I'm about 6 months, one week now & my TKR leg feels shorter than the other, I'm sure because it's still not as straight as it should be. I also have a lot of hip pain and recently my TKR knee has been hurting. My leg muscles are still very weak despite the exercising. I've given thought to going back to PT again if my dr approves, but maybe a Chiropractor would be beneficial. Others have mentioned personal trainers - I'm confused as to what to do! I've been pretty diligent about walking & biking but see no progress really.

      Thanks - it's good to hear positive stories like yours! Betty

    • MCanada
      MCanada betty07083

      Posted

      Hi Betty, I find that focussing on the bad stuff about my TKR is kind of a waste of time unless it is to get advice and "share the pain" on this amazing forum. Lol To answer your questions, my Chiropractor visits are in addition to all the other things I am doing for rehabilitation. Early on I went to my physiotherapist for measurements, advice and new exercises based on what I needed every week or two and then I did the work myself at home in between. She is the one who mentioned that it is normal to have hip and ankle pain due to the fact that my ankle, knee, hip and shoulder were all tracking on the same vertical plane for the first time in decades so I needed to strengthen them too. She gave me exercises that helped but I seemed to be blocked in mobility so I consulted my Chiropractor. He manipulated my entire back, shoulders, hips and ankles (even released my toes so they could spread again -like they teach you in yoga) and I stood taller and straighter immediately and the achiness was reduced. I had 4 treatments over a period of 2 weeks as I continued my other rehab and I have no more hip pain at all, my back releases when I stretch (especially after I work out while I am still warm) and my ankles do not give me grief when I walk my dog on ice and snow. I may go back in a week or so for a follow up Chiro visit and I will go to my physiotherapist in 2 weeks to get final measurements and review. It is unlikely that I cannot finish rehab by myself for this knee. My first TKR was at about 125 and 0 by 5 months so I expect this one will too. At that point I will continue my regular workouts and sports for fun, health and fitness. I make it a point to visit my Chiropractor for an adjustment every couple of months as it is a good preventative measure as well. I am doing water physio and aquacize 5 days a week and have started getting on the exercycle 3 times a week as well. My goal is to be cycling daily down the streets of Cozumel, Mexico by 16 weeks. I am at 13 now. This knee is definitely not healing as fast as TKR #1 (one year old) but it is already SO much better than before I am a happy woman. I am 55 years old. Does that help you out?

      Cheers,

      Mary

    • MCanada
      MCanada betty07083

      Posted

      By the way Betty my chiropractor also showed me how to use a tennis ball under my hip as I lay on my side to release the knots. Two tennis balls (one on each side of my spine) rolled up and down as I lay on my back do wonders for my back too.
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 MCanada

      Posted

      There seems to be a common thread among those who have had both.....always one is as much different from the other as it would be between people. I have also gone to professional massage therapy and find deep tissue massage is a big help and gets the entire circulation moving.......besides its a mental lift as well
    • betty07083
      betty07083 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Roland, was your professional massage therapy done by your PT or Chiropractor or a "general" massage therapist? Just want to be sure they know what they are doing smile

      There are those who swear by Chiropractor's ( my daughter & husband are two of them) and those who are wary or scared more damage might be done. I'm kind of in the middle - I really want to give it a try but just a little scared.

      Betty

    • betty07083
      betty07083 MCanada

      Posted

      Thanks Mary, that was very helpful. As I told Roland, I've always been a little afraid of Chiropractors but so many people swear by them! I am ready to give it a try. I've also never have been a swimmer or "water person", but I've heard so many good things about water exercising, that I'm going to give that a try as well. I need to break out of my fear and comfort zones and try new things, especially since what I've been doing does not seem to be doing me a lot of good!

      Wow you are adventurous! Biking through Mexico at 16 weeks! Good for you!! I hope you will post some of your adventure on here!!

      Best regards, Betty

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 betty07083

      Posted

      A trained and licensed massage therapist. If you ask for deep tissue massage you have to tell them you want the gentlest level as a masseuse can really dig deep with their strong hands. Stay away from the neighborhood Asian massage parlor as they are there for other reasons. I do have a Korean lady that is legit but can be painful if not talked to
    • MCanada
      MCanada betty07083

      Posted

      Hi Betty, I am staying at a 4 star resort and biking back and forth to San Miguel! It is not that adventurous but it should be great for my knee to bike daily. Good for you to get out of your comfort zone! You might surprise yourself! I hope you find a regular group to go to. My 8 am class has become like family! We work out, catch up and tease each other unmercifully. There are a couple of people in their 40's, 5or so like me in our 50's, many in 60's and 70's and 2 at 86 and 87. The class is 5 days a week and people work at their own pace and come as often as they choose. It is great fun and lots of laughter every day. We even swap novels at the little coffee shop at the YWCA. Yes I will stay in touch while I am away in Mexico. I have gotten quite attached to this discussion forum!

      Mary

    • betty07083
      betty07083 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Thanks Roland - I'm actually looking forward to this. Dumb question, but does massage actually help with straightening & flexibility or more for pain relief?
    • MCanada
      MCanada betty07083

      Posted

      I have also had massage. It helped with all those things but even more importantly I found that it reduced swelling by moving the fluid up to the core of my body and eliminated through wastes. You will pee lots! So drink LOTS of water after massage, have a warm bath with salt and then take a nice nap. That is my prescription! :-)
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 betty07083

      Posted

      It loosens you up and helps relax to a point you feel like moving easier and a little more fluid. For example, the hamstrings suddenly aren't tight any more and its easier to stride. Be sure and increase your water intake after the treatment as your soft tissues needs that to stay loose. I have also found seven up is good as the citrus seems to make the extremities a little more stringy. I always drank 7up when I played golf as it kept my fingers seem to have a little more feel. Then of course finished up with a boat load of beer so I could forget how bad I played
    • betty07083
      betty07083 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Ha ha, well the boat load of beer should help loosen you up too smile

      Thanks for your help! Massage therapy is definitely on my "to do list"!

      Soon!

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