Limps-v-Corsets

Posted , 11 users are following.

Hi, 2 years since I fell and had to have a hip replacement. I am still limping badly and in pain (still on Tramadol) so went for x-rays and they confirmed that one leg (the side operated on) was longer than the other - to my surprise only half a centimetre as I thought it was much more than that. Anyway saw another Consultant who said he didn't think a shoe lift would do the trick and has recommended I have a corset. Has anyone had this problem for a limp and does the corset work re getting rid of the limp? Any advice would be great.

Regards

JX 

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  • Posted

    Hi Jean it's also 2 years ago I fell and fractured my hip and pelvis, I also have a leg discrepancy, mines a bit more than yours so I'm wondering why your consultant said a lift wouldn't be any good, did he explain as I have one, what sort of corset did he suggest?? Did he think your pain was caused by the discrepancy?? Are you exercising regularly because the stronger the muscles are the better you will walk

    Was it kneck of femure you fractured

    Isn't the pain horrendous

    • Posted

      Hi Alexandria, not sure what part of the hip was fractured? I was told that the pain was mostly due to damage caused by the replacement to my spine. Having to wait 2 weeks for the corset so no idea what it will be like - cannot imagine it will be black lace with red ribbons though ha ha!!

      Joking apart the pain isn't good. I find it impossible to walk very far even with my cane and I did try using an exercise bike but this made things worse.

      Regards

      Jean

  • Posted

    Half a cm = 5mm which is very small. I'd have thought a pair of heel lifts would be preferable,easier and much cheaper. I'd try them first.

    • Posted

      Hi Rocketman, yes I think whilst I am waiting for the corset I'll try putting a thin sole to ee what happens??

      Regards

      Jean

  • Posted

    Hi

    I too have a limp that requires me to use a cane.  I had both hips replaced within 6 months of each other. One is over a year the other 10 months.  It is very difficult to walk, not much pain except for the discomfort of walking.  One Dr. said I have a 3/4" difference, another Dr. said not true.  I tried the lift anyway no difference.  I am going to try the corset.  Hate the thought of struggling to put it on in the heat of summer.  Please post your results if you try.  I will too.

    • Posted

      Yes Bernice I'll keep you informed when I get my corset - told it will be 2 weeks?

      Regards

      Jean X

  • Posted

    Ouchhh, - can sympathise with you, I too have a leg length discrepancy on my left side post a hip replacement.

    I identified an issue the first time I stood up, I reported that I had a lot of extra leg on my left hand side, the only way I felt comfortable was to lift my heel off the ground on my right side, Dr's assured me that I didn't have an issue, they had looked at the x-rays, and told me it was a perceived or weakened muscles issue.

    Weeks went past and the more I tried to walk the worse I got, having had a right hip replacement 15 months previous, I thought I knew what to expect, some improvement in the pain, levels, and then pain became acute, I could not move, ie back to one day post hip replacement, local GP sent me for cat scan, I had ruptured L5-S1, and L5-L4 and L4-L3 discs were bulging in my spine, from now spinal pain previous I asked if the leg length discrepancy could be causing the pain, again denied I had a length discrepancy, and no link between the two.

    Eventually GP prescribed morphine tablets, or the like, took away the pain, but not the problem,  and everything around me lovely in pink, and as my son said mum you are drunk on those tablets, but could not stop taking them.

    Eventually GP took pity on me after a big verbal fight with him, and he said once and for all we will find out about this so called leg length discrepancy, and ordered a LONG-LEG-XRAY, finding a clinic that did it was a problem but tracked one down.

    X-ray came back as 10mm longer leg on left hand side below knee, and 12mm added during surgery, prothesis could have been inserted further was comment, total of 22mm or 3/4 inch.

    All I have had to adjust myself for is the 12mm the surgery gave me, as the 10mm below my knee is natural, started off with a flip flops around the house on my right foot to see if I felt better, and found I could walk better and with less pain, I went on to shoe insert for the 12mm difference, runners have been built up on right leg side, dress shoes low heeled have been adjusted by a shoe maker, 5mm down on left foot side and 5mm up on right side, seems to be enough, if uncomfortable, backed that up with swimming in the local heated pool, in the deep water end, simply treading water, over the weeks I seemed to slowly get better.

    Physio helped me with weakened muscles, and even he and his team agreed after measuring me with tape measure that I had a leg length discrepancy.

    Dr's that did my surgery should have been able to recognise the issue, a private ortheopedic surgeon who I consulted in the middle of this fight with the public hospital, said I do not understand you have a clear leg length discrepancy, and it shows on your x-rays, I told him the story about the treatment I got at the public hospital he was not impressed, so even left him with a flea in his ear.

    I told him the next time he saw his mate, and named the senior consultant and teaching surgeon that had done my surgery, to him, pass on he had better pick his game up, because he had  bug---ed my surgery, and to boot had outright lied to me post surgery and even insulted me about not being able to ever wear high heel shoes again, reply was what does it matter at your age, 65, and when I attended outpatients for my post surgery checkups.

    Little bit of feedback through nurses I have received, unexpected, is that long leg x-ray is now done at the hospital prior to surgery to identify leg length differences, and also post surgery, hello hello, I not suggesting I had anything to do with that, but I did make a fuss through the official complaints process, but of course still denied I had an issue.

    • Posted

      Gosh Lyn what a lot you have been through - hope all is going well now for you? I was told it was my spine that was the problem - caused after the op? Waiting for a corset now so hope this stops the limp?

      Good Luck

      Jean X

    • Posted

      Hi jean6813,i had left hip replaced 2yrs ago (arthritis) i've also bn left with leg length discrepancy,i have shoe lift,but only helps if i wear trainers or boots,cant put it in sandals or slipons,my back is aching constantly,saw surgeon at 2yrs check up,he was'nt interested,all that matters 2 him,is his job is done...My GP sent me 4 a weight bearing xray,as i feel like my bottom is sticking out wen i'm standing in bare feet,also op leg falls in at the knee 2wards right leg...anyway,hosp said they dont do weight bearing xrays on adults??? Going back 2 GP 2 try 4 an MRI....good luck with the corset,hope it helps

    • Posted

      Gosh Pauline, I thought I had problems but you are in a right mess? Maybe a corset would be your answer? I am going to try and put an extra sole in my sandals to see if this helps.

      Will report re the corset when I get it.

      Good luck with the MRI.

      Jean X

    • Posted

      I know Jean,but at least the arthritic pain has gone,that was unbeareable

      The surgeon did tell me,the reason i'm taking so long 2 heal,is they took so long 2 do op,kept saying i was 2 young,got op at 52yrs old,there has also bn muscle and tissue damage,which apparantly is "a consequence of the op"

      Thanx I will keep u posted

  • Posted

    Hi all, first port of call will be podiatry, there lifts are only rear so can feel slightly irregular, if you have a good cobbler near by take your lift into him and ask if he can make you a leather insole, then get him to stick your lift under the insole that way you can slide it in your shoe, it want move forwards either, or if your really lucky like me he can make you a full lift, he cuts an insole and gradually builds the back up with thicker leather slices, it really helps as unlike just the backlift it brings your whole leg in line.

    Otherwise it's like having one flat shoe and one higher heel, not normal.

    Have they measured your legs and if so how did they do it.

    • Posted

      My legs were measured by the surgeon with a measuring tape

      Totally agree with ur comments on shoe lift

    • Posted

      That's good at least he was trying to help.

      If you need to measure again lay flat on bed and place flexible tape measure on your hip bone, take it down to your inner ankle bone and then same on other side.

      That's as good as it gets without a special x-ray check

      Sometimes the discrepancy can become worse after hip replacement though or if it's not a genuine discrepancy it can be because your hiking your operated side

    • Posted

      When i sit on bed with my legs flat,i can see op leg is slighty longer,my muscles on op leg,still very tight and hip goes into a spasm,when i sit to long,surgeon just nodded his head when i told him that

      In my opinion,he is happy with his job & not interested in the muscle/tissue damage

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