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Short Leg

Posted , 10 users are following.

jean68130
jean68130

I was told that one leg was l centimetre shorter since my hip op. I have tried putting soles into my left shoe to compensate but no good. I've tried different heights but no luck?? Should I use the complete sole or just the heel part - need to stop limping!!

Regards

0 likes, 28 replies

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  • lyn32416
    lyn32416 jean68130

    Posted

    Why is your leg shorter? My sister came out with a longer leg than what she went in with. Seems to me we come out of surgery with unexplained damage. I'm walking on stilts since my bilateral knee replacements. My spine is out of alignment and my buttocks ache. Maybe it's best to let nature take its course because surgeons don't seem to send us home renewed and reinvigorated. xx

  • laura52566
    laura52566 jean68130

    Posted

    I have an approx 4cms discrepancy. It’s very difficult. I have bought heel inserts but can’t wear normal shoes as it’s too high so just wear my Crocs as they have a well in them that my insert fits into. But it is difficult and I am very unhappy about the whole situation as the surgeon doesn’t care. I wasn’t aware this could happen. I have a bad limp without the insert. I feel disabled.
    • teresa43052
      teresa43052 laura52566

      Posted

      Hi laura I know it gets you down when you have been so independent, I cant wear heels anmore only wedge shoes as they help me walk without a limp.  Yes it is hard, situation I feel sometimes like you feel forgotten ometimes, I have to keep clling asking questions and feel I am a burden, but its not just a broken tooth is it, I had talk at first loose my leg due to the mess its in, I still don't know. I am not the person I used to be. Went on holiday fell and that was end of a perfect winter break.I am now disabled myself.

  • dlrfoto
    dlrfoto jean68130

    Posted

    Hi Jean, how long ago did you have your hip replacement? Is the shorter leg the leg that was operated on? Who told you how much shorter one leg was than the other? I’m just 2 weeks post op and am definitely feeling like my operated left leg is longer than my right one but they say give it time to settle in the meantime I feel the misalignment is causing other problems (I.e. back, gait). 
    • jean68130
      jean68130 dlrfoto

      Posted

      Hi, 2 years since my op - only found out recently that my 'unoperated' leg was shorter than the other. Just been prescribed a corset which helps with the pain but I am still limping. Specialist said the leg was only 1cm shorter - she guessed never measured the legs.

      Jean 

  • dlrfoto
    dlrfoto jean68130

    Posted

    Oops forgot to ask you how they measure to find out how much length difference between the two. Is it by X-ray?
    • jean68130
      jean68130 dlrfoto

      Posted

      Hi, no the Specialist didn't even measure my legs she just looked and said 1 cm shorter?? 

    • dlrfoto
      dlrfoto jean68130

      Posted

      Hummm? I would have thought your doctor would have told you whether to use just a heal lift or the whole sole. I would imagine a podiatrist might be helpful in this situation. 
    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 dlrfoto

      Posted

      My sugeon also denied I had a leg length difference post surgery, I had to get down and beg my local GP for a referral for a LONG-LEG-X-RAY, they measure you from the waist to the floor, and then measure each bone, cartedge spaces, and after about 6 measurements come up with the real measurement of each leg.

      That's when I got a shock, I had 10mm naturally below my knee, that does not have to be allowed for, as I have grown with it my entire life, took an old fellow a shoe maker to explain that to me, he had over the years fashioned alot of shoes for severly crippled polio patients, and others with severely short limbs, 12mm that the surgeon had added, prothesis not belted in far enough a junior Dr told me, but from my understanding the surgeon wasn't even aware I had a natural difference as well, if that is the case, he did not do his job for it to even be a factor the surgeon should takin into consideration.

      I wear a shoe insert, that I can buy at the chemist just in the opposite foot to give me a little extra height, have had court shoes adjusted, left leg (long one) heel down 5mm, and right heel lifted 5mm, seems to be enough for me to manage.

      Runners which I live in most of the time, have also had right shoe lifted, 10mm, other than that I have crocs that I have a shoe insert in, have also learnt to walk on ball of right foot around house, rather than putting heel to the ground as in a natural walking pattern, but have noticed this walking style is shortening my step, so walk very slowly now, but get there, remember to stretch my archicles tendon, as the last thing I need to do is shorten tendons if I can avoid.

      I still work out using post hip replacement exercises at the local heated pool where I don't have to worry about short leg or otherwise, stretch legs, step sideways in pool, all stretches that I can no longer do without support of water, and spend an hour treading water, usually twice a week, sometime3 times a week.

      you must remember in my case my arthirits of my hips might have gone via surgery, but arthirits in spine, knees and shoulders and hands still there, I am 67 with a family history of severe arthritis.

    • teresa43052
      teresa43052 lyn1951

      Posted

      Yes I see what you mean, I have severe rheumatoid also dosent help. Had a comlete new full femur done 2016 then I fell again in January and ended up breaking neck of femur same leg but it wasn't that easy I got a fungus infection which is very hard to treat when in your body. I am home now from hospital have phsio nd try walk in my flat every day. My life has changed I was so mobile, used to drive, but some days pain very bad.   I await now see what sugrgeons decide next step...I could do with a heated pool too I will make some enquiries, I hardly leave the house now I am 62

  • teresa43052
    teresa43052 jean68130

    Posted

    Unfortunately tis sometimes happes my leg is shorter but when I wear wear shoes not so high they support it and I can walk fine, no limp Bearing in mind 2 yers before I had a total femur operation from the first fall then 2018 this year in January fell again broke the nceck of femur. same leg. In a bit of a mess now as not sure whsts next options. I had very bad infection fungus in the hip part and still cant get downstairs in my home 22 steps so I am in home most of time. I would advise you get some wedge shoes I bought online they are lovely comfortable  and fitted shoes.  Send me your email I will give you the link Takeacare.
    • jean68130
      jean68130 teresa43052

      Posted

      Hi, yes I do wear wedges as I cannot wear flatties but still I limp.

      Regards

      Jean

      Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

  • Charlie2018
    Charlie2018 jean68130

    Posted

    How common is it to have a leg longer or shorter after hip surgery?  
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Charlie2018

      Posted

      Probably more common than we realise. In the document I signed before the op there was something in it about them trying to keep leg difference down to a certain amount (not zero!) but it was not always possible and they could not guarantee anything. 
  • penny08987
    penny08987 jean68130

    Posted

    Hi all

    I have a 1.5cm difference. So I went in with arthritis and in daily pain but could walk. I came out with needing a permanent shoes lift. I wish I'd never had the op done. It's so depressing. I'm dreading my holidays, can't buy normal Sandals now. Been 6 months and I still have a massive limp. Still have sever tightness and soreness.

    • jean68130
      jean68130 penny08987

      Posted

      Hi Penny, 2 years since my hip op and I am still limping and using a cane. I saw the Specialist after I had put up with pain for so long - she never measured my legs - just guessed that it was 1cm longer. She did prescribe a corset for me which I must say has relieved the pain a lot. I tried 1cm lift but still limping so I am ordering some adjustable shoe lifts so I can, hopefully, find the correct sized lift. My new hip was because I fell awkwardly - no arthritis - just my own fault for carrying 2 watering cans - UGH!!

      Regards

      Jean

    • laura52566
      laura52566 penny08987

      Posted

      I have been left with between a 3-4cms discrepancy.  I now feel disabled and totally abandoned. I cannot find any shoes that my insert will fit into except Crocs  so I just wear them but can’t walk far. To see a podiatrist will cost me over £400 but I suppose I will just have to pay it.

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