Specialist visit today
Posted , 6 users are following.
Well at least the specialist today admitted I have a problem with my hip replacment, 10mm below knee naturally, and 10mm above knee added by surgery, total of 20mm difference in leg length.
He did make comment, natural leg length discrepancy should have been indentified before surgery, DUHHHHH????
He also admitted there is a link between LLD and sciatica, just the opposite to what I was told at the hospital, dooo they really think I'm an idiot and don't have access to the internet.
I was armed with article from Leeds Ortheopedic unit, available on the internet, and I showed it too him, he confirmed he had read the same article, and said good girl at least you are educating yourself.
He has then ordered up an MRI, and re-booked me to see him again 14 Jan.
He did his best to say there must be another answer to helping you with your problem other than re-doing the surgery.
I pointed out to him I have been doing my post surgery exercises in the swimming pool to the best of my ability for 11 months now, when I got the feeling to was going to say to me about visiting a physio, that put paid to that idea, what more does he want me to dooooo to make myself better I don't know.
I felt I won the battle but maybe not the war, we will see.
1 like, 20 replies
rose0000 lyn1951
Posted
The MRI is a positive step forward, and at least the specialist seems to be taking your concerns seriously which is half the battle.
I hope it gets sorted out for you quickly Lyn, and they are able to repair the discrepancy
- what are the options?
lyn1951
Posted
He then said how do I feel about my good right hip being re-done to give me the 10mm on that side. I told him I would not be happy about that, as it has always been good, 12 hours after surgery walking to nurses station, and by day 2 to day room, he knows the hospital, and understands just how far that was.
Other option is to look at back and see what is going on there, I know I have a bulging disc, and that is also causing problems, but I didn't have any back problems before THR, I know the two are related and nobody is going to convince me otherwise. Damned if I do and damned if I don't.
vicki00016 lyn1951
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11 months is a long time but if you've walked incorrectly for a long time that will need a long time to correct.
Can't believe your consultant referred to you as a good girl!
rose0000 lyn1951
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lyn1951 rose0000
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But the more I move the more pain I have, for example, 3 months ago getting to the swimming pool from the carpark was a nighmare, having to stop 3 - 4 times to just catch my breath and not pass out from the pain, I have progessed to only stopping once now, and thats huge progress for me.
Today for example getting to the specialist, a long walk, but I was determined I was going to do it, I felt I could, pushed myself to the limit, had to stop a number of times, I also had foot drop as I went on, and was tripping on my own left foot, came close to landing on my nose a couple of times, husband took over carrying my bags and x-rays while I just concentrated on walking.
Tonight leg numb, sort of like when you go to the dentist and you are givin numbing injections, you can still feel, but sensation altered, calf in cramp, but when I touch it I can't see or feel where the cramp is with my hands, foot feels as if it is sitting in bucket of water with ice blocks in it, again leg/foot not cold when I touch with hands, very disconcerting, assume nerves not sending messages correctly.
I am very nervous about the idea of back surgery, they are really going to have to work hard on selling me that.
I know it is a possibility I have all sorts of spurs in my back, from background arthritis, and there is the possibility that the LLD has only shown up a problem I was developing anyway, would rather take the risk of re-doing the left hip, but they are not touching my good right hip
renee01952 lyn1951
Posted
wow ... not sure what to say ..
very upsetting is an understatement - I was very lucky then that my surgeon always checked the length of both legs first - pre-op and post-op .. post-op 1st THR there was a difference which was corrected with 2nd THR - Still need to be very aware about the way I walk though - Very easy for me to be a sloppy, flat-footed walker ...
Kudos to you for your perseverance -
Warm big hug
renee
lyn1951 renee01952
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I strongly believe that my natural difference was never identified, and I am told again today it is clear, duhhhhhh????.
My claim is even at the point of surgery, when you are lying flat on you back on the operating table, they should be doing a final check for leg length discrepancy, before they start the surgery.
If they are not doing that, they are in danger of having a claim against them for professional duty of care and that can become expensive.
Imagine taking your car to your local mechanic and asking for a general service, and they don't identify that your brakes are worn out, and you have a accident to following day for example, and worn brakes are identified as the problem, I don't see the difference.
I even asked my brother who is a world wide known motor mechanic, in the motor racing world, very specialized, and very well thought of, he said, more than his business is worth not to check each and every time he does a service.
rose0000 lyn1951
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renee01952 lyn1951
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I am not encouraging this but feel that compensation can be asked due to gross negligence ...
christine2107 lyn1951
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That is great news - gosh our circumstances are very similar and I have been exercising for 2 years. Off to see another consultant today who gave a second opinion back in May that he could fix me. I will now ask about the risk of muscles and dislocation from a revision arising from an overlong leg and being stretched out.
Its good but also scary to get to the place where the problem is recognised as this alone does not guarantee success - but does promise action. Fingers crossed for you xxxx
lyn1951 christine2107
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I feel if they had taken notice of my opinion at the time, it could have been solved a few days later with a revision, but much harder now all my leg and buttock muscles have adjusted????? to the new length of leg.
They would have a very loose prothesis in my case if they replaced it now, and I can see thats a problem getting the hip to stay in place after the surgery, until the muscles take up and adjust once again.
christine2107 lyn1951
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I am stretched long and stretched out - as I have been given a leg length difference now and a wrong sized ball parto of the prosthesis - the stem is too long so my leg is jacked out - I am stretched out and stretched long, if you understand me.
I read of a physio who had a replacement and found a big leg length difference and insisted on being taken back to theatre and was sorted out there and then. That is something I wish I had read in advance as I would have done the same.
Can you tell me where you found the Leeds article as I cannot find it anywhere?
thanks a lot for posting
Chris xxx
Chris
lyn1951 christine2107
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the google reply comes up with a - a review of symptomatic leg length inequality following Total Hip------can't see the rest
I went to the local library and downloaded the entire article, very interesting.
that should find it.
Have you proved your problem with x-rays, I had to go to that level as nobody took any notice of what I had to say.
christine2107 lyn1951
Posted
My legs were same length before surgery - my consultant wrote this in his letter to my GP. It is actually hard to measure leg length - so there are a range of tests they do. An easy one to do for self is lie on back and draw knees up to 60 degrees - if your thigh has been lengthened then one knee cap will be higher than the other one.
I had 2 second opinions both of which said that as I was slightly hyper mobile (proved to be so on the 3D model) then the wrong head size had been used and no amount of physio would make it settle - in fact if you think about it the last thing we need to do is stretching exercises
I recommend looking up the corin thing as they are developing much more accurate diagnostic techniques - like the motor industry - and aids for surgery too.
I am going to look up that article now
thanks again
Chris
vicki00016 lyn1951
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lyn1951 vicki00016
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vicki00016 lyn1951
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