One leg longer

Hi Annie,

I am in the same position. I am still struggling to walk, slowed down initially by very swollen legs. I had my operation on the 11th June, but although I have no pain, sleeping well etc, but do have backache if I try to walk for more than a few minutes without crutches, I also am limping, and it really was starting to get me down. Saw my Surgeon a couple of weeks ago who in no uncertain terms told me NOT to use one crutch but to use two when walking! this was a major operation, and the muscle has to repair etc, and the more I strain to walk with no crutches, the more damage I am doing!I have done exactly liked he asked, and I have noticed a difference even in just over two weeks. I have therefore decided this is certainly not a marathon, and have accepted that I would much rather be with crutches slightly longer rather than have any further damage done! seems silly not to be patient after a successful operation. Good luck Annie, sorry cant help you with the shoe inserts, but maybe consider the above first.

Sorry Annie - my information also refers to trying to walk properly with one crutch - body weight MUST be even for hip/muscle to repair internally.

Hi. I posted this yesterday on justdebs same question 're length difference yesterday. hope it helps 😊

Hi there,

I'm now 4 days post op for left hip.

I had my first right THR Feb 2016 @ 46

I new my new hip/leg at that time was longer but my surgeon dismissed me, I spent a small fortune on different types of insoles, heel raisers, you name it I bought it but nothing"felt" right.

luckily I had a fantastic GP.

she advised waiting for 6 months for all to settle down and then sent me to the orthotics at my local hospital. I was 28mms longer! I had shoes raised and even a pair of small heel Mary Jane shoes done for a wedding 😁

they told me if it is 8 mms or less you can have special insoles made, over 8 mms your shoes have to be built up.

you buy your own and I get 3 pairs built up free every year.

now trying to do my exercises I have noticed my new new hip as I call it, well my leg is longer.

I'm not going to stress this time as I know I will have to wait 6 months before I can see the

orthotics department.

hopefully my story might help or point you in the direction you need to go.

your welcome to pm me anytime

good luck in your recovery

love

Sabine xxx

yes I bought shoe raisers on line you can get adjustable ones where you pedal off layers to get required height I also used sticky back velcro to hold them in place in sandals the hospital also gave me one at my six weeks check up and they are very helpful

One of my legs following THR is now slightly longer than the other and I just walk with a limp

Have you had someone measure your legs? Have someone hold one end of a measuring tape on your belly button and then measure to each ankle. If the operated leg is not actually longer, wearing a lift will only delay your progress.

I had one leg actually shorter than the other pre-op. The surgeon made the short leg the same length as the normal leg. Even now, 2 1/2 years later, the operated leg still feels too long. But wearing a lift would keep my body from getting used to the new equal leg length.

Hi Annie,

I'd recommend getting your physio or surgeon to measure your leg length. My leg felt like it was 1-2 cm too long for a good few months after surgery but ultimately it was down to swelling and the fact my alignment was completely out after years of compensating for my bad hip. Things levelled out eventually.

My thought is that if you used shoe inserts when you didn't need them you would hamper your recovery.

The limp does take a while to go away. I got more physio and religiously did my strengthening exercises. Don't worry, recovery does take a while, but you will get there in the end.

All the best,

David.

Hello

I had my first THR June 2018. After having therapy for a few months I still noticed that I was limping. The nasty doctor would not acknowledge it. His answer was put a lift in your shoe and left the room! By October 2018 I was still limping and getting all sorts of stories from the therapist. They were sticking up with the doctor. I went to many doctors throughout the year. They all said I had a Leg Length Discrepancy. Besides that was in pain from mid thigh to groin. I had fluid and had area aspirated. Two doctors said to use a lift. I tried and found it to be so uncomfortable. Finally I found a very well known doctor at HSS in NYC. He operated on me this past July 2019. He removed the ball that the first surgeon used. The first surgeon used a 35mm +5mm. The new doctor used 35mm +1mm. He improved the limp. I can still feel a slight limp, but it is better. I never went back to the first surgeon. He was rude and I could not deal with him. I still have a lot of pain. I believe the first doctor cut a nerve and I now have nerve damage. I saw a neurologist and she agrees that I have nerve damage. My next step will be to have a beta nerve block shot. I had that shot before the second surgery and it did help a little. Am just waiting now, but now I will have pain forever. See what size ball the surgeon used. They are not perfect and a lot of mistakes are made all the time. This was a horrible experience for me. I am trying to get through the pain issue now. Keep in touch, but I don't believe that we should have a limp after the surgery and to use a lift was not for me.