One centimetre leg discrepancy

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hi everyone

After one week of penicillin to treat an infection to my wound, within two days I re-infected. Deeply embedded was a piece of suture that has now, thankfully , been removed and I am able to perform my physio.

I'm today five weeks post op and have been asked, by my physio, to walk indoors unaided. He measured my legs and advised that my op leg is one centimetre longer than the other, which was replaced last January. He assured me that the discrepancy would even itself out.

I'm walking with even strides heel to toe, but it feels so uncomfortable as if the new hip is being pushed upwards.

Is one centimetre anything to worry about?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Nope 1 cm is not even half an inch and like your consultant said it will settle down the further along you go, I was told mine was 2 cm but two weeks later I can feel the difference, off to see orthotics next month so hopefully it will have got longer, you say it feels strange, you are only 5 weeks, so long way to go before it feels totally "normal" your doing really well but don't push yourself into pain, physiotherapist's can't feel the pain only you can, mine told me I could walk unaided last week and ended up she had to catch me, I don't know who it scared the most LOL she couldn't get me back in wheelchair fast enough.

    Remember every one heals and progresses at a different rate.

  • Posted

    hi Morris

    I agree with alexandria. ...

    1 cm is not a lot ...Our legs are not exactly the same length to begin with. .

    sounds like you are doing really great. ....

    big warm hug

    Renee 💙.

  • Posted

    My op leg was intentionally lengthened 1 inch due to a deformity . I'm 22 days post op and my leg difference has already adjusted 1/2 inch. My Dr and therapist say my body will adjust and it will even out even more. I can feel the difference when I step side to side - but I try not to focus on it. I'm hoping it continues improving. Good luck to you!

  • Posted

    10mm added during surgery is within the acceptable range, from my pre-surgery handout booklet. But it does take some getting used to.

    I know I was given 12 mm still considered acceptable by surgeons, but to complicate the issue I also have 10mm naturally below my knee, so doubled up so to speak.

    Have i got used to it YES, I also have arranged for a 12mm shoe lift for my other side, ignoring the 10mm natural, and that helps me no end. Alot of physio, and non-weight bearing treading water to strengthen muscles and back and buttocks, early days were a real problem, as they don't seem to like you getting a shoe lift too early as you can adjust its just that mine is so much at 22mm.

    • Posted

      I forgot to mention, early days you can have alot of bone swelling, I always thought bone was set in stone but apparently not, or so I have been assured by physio, local GP, and specialist, so that is also part of the reason they don't want you self diagnosing until all that settles, as I understand it it is also part of the reason they tell you you must be patient with leg length discrepancies.

      Secondly their is a 2nd type of leg length discrepancy that in reality doesn't exist but the pateint will swear black and blue that it does, its is caused by extremly weak muscles and stretched tendons all part of the surgery that you have to recover from, and tendons and cartledge take 12 weeks to recover, muscles take 6 weeks.

      Had this confirmed with my own experience, and director/doctor of nursing sister/sibling when I didn't believe my GP only confirmed with a laugh when I asked her, and told me to trust my GP a little more.

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