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Specialist visit today

Posted , 6 users are following.

lyn1951
lyn1951

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

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  • rose0000
    rose0000 lyn1951

    Posted

    You went into your appointment well armed and well prepared. Although calling you a 'good girl' for simply doing your research is patronising to say the least, and would have infuriated me.

    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
    lyn1951

    Posted

    Options are re-due the left hip, but muscles in hip joint are already stretched, and if the surgery is re-done the chance of even more complications is there, plus the danger of dis-location the first time they try to get me on my feet. That makes sense to me.

    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
      vicki00016 lyn1951

      Posted

      Hi Lyn, I've just been looking at my hospital notes as I had a large leg difference prior to surgery and was suffering terribly with my back. Prior to the op the apparent difference was over 40mm. The actual difference was 22mm and is now 16mm. The risk of nerve damage was much higher for me but thankfully I am fine. My consultant explained that readjusting my body to walking properly again will be a long process and I'm wondering if proper Physio may help you? Prior to surgery I suffered with sciatica and paid for a private sports Physio who was amazing. I also had help from a trainer in the gym to strengthen my poorly leg.

      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
      rose0000 lyn1951

      Posted

      What a dilemma to face. How much is it troubling you? Is it very painful to walk? I guess I would be the same as you, weighing up the options carefully and accessing how much of an impact it was having in my life - are the risks greater having more surgery or can you live with it? I am sorry it happened at all.
    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 rose0000

      Posted

      With some heavy painkillers, I have pushed through and have been working with swimming and walking getting myself stronger, which I have done.

      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
    renee01952 lyn1951

    Posted

    Hi Lyn, 

    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
      lyn1951 renee01952

      Posted

      Renee - I am in the process of considering seriously going down the legal route.

      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
      rose0000 lyn1951

      Posted

      I have to say I agree with you completely Lyn. It should be a basic check right from the beginning.
    • renee01952
      renee01952 lyn1951

      Posted

      well, I didn't want to say that about legal action - I have lived in Los Angeles for 34 years, and you know, "we" are known as very sue-happy people- and because of that, probably more attention is given to (minor) details -nobody, no company wants to  get sued ... did I mention that I was working as Manager of Customer Service (a .k.a. Complaints department) department of big international tour operator ????  

      I am not encouraging this but feel that compensation can be asked due to gross negligence ...

       

  • christine2107
    christine2107 lyn1951

    Posted

    Lyn

    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
      lyn1951 christine2107

      Posted

      Stretching the leg should not be a problem, mine is the possibility of un-stretching a leg they made too long with surgery in Feb 2015.

      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
      christine2107 lyn1951

      Posted

      Hi Lyn

      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
      lyn1951 christine2107

      Posted

      type in "leg length inequality" + whiterose.

      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
      christine2107 lyn1951

      Posted

      Yes I have had x rays, CT and MRI and even 3D modelling - look up corin. Each comes up with a difference - but a different measurement...

      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 wink

      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
    vicki00016 lyn1951

    Posted

    Prior to surgery one of my main worries was my leg length difference. The consultant said this is measured prior to and following surgery but isn't considered in surgery. The surgery rectifies the hip problem and leg difference should hopefully be rectified. Does this make sense? I presume they can only put the hip back to where it should be.
    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 vicki00016

      Posted

      Vicki - mine is long at the top end of the femur, caused by surgery. One young Dr a few months ago made the comment that the prothesis was very proud, "could have been hammered down 10mm more" yeahhh right, if that had happened I wouldnt have a problem. Look up lower trochanter (sorry spelling) its a teardrop type bump on the inside of the femur, and they do use it as a measurement point, the measurement from peak of that, for me to the top of the ball of my hip joint naturally 7.4cm both hips, right hip after surgery 7.4cm, left hip 8.6cm, or 1.2cm difference between hips, add to that the 1cm, I have naturally below my knee, total of 20-22mm or 3/4 inch to leg length.
    • vicki00016
      vicki00016 lyn1951

      Posted

      Gosh Lyn sounds like you've had an awful time of it. I think I'm lucky that my consultant has a lot of time for me when I have consultations and is very open and honest. I'm not walking on my op leg yet but when I stand upright on crutches I can put my foot flat on the floor, previously I had to stand on tip toe on that leg. How awful to go through all that surgery and be left with a problem such as yours. Did you also say you now have drop foot? That was one of the risks that was greater than normal for me due to a complex op and the cons warned me and was worried about it but I'm ok. Can you not have a consultation with a different consultant?
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