uneven leg length after THR

Hi Janet,

How much longer is the discrepancy, I'm 51 and am 4 weeks post, I haven't noticed a length difference,

I think your surgeon should have explained this to you before the surgery, I am also struggling a bit that a part

of my bone has gone. Good luck

Hi Janet,

After my RTHR my operated leg 'felt' longer, but after the swelling had gone down they were the same length.  However, if your surgeon has told you yours is 1/2 inch longer perhaps he has allowed for the swelling?  Anyway, I can assure you that things feel very different after the swelling has subsided.  Yours probably feels much more than 1/2 inch right now!   

I think the only thing you can do is wait and see how it affects you and my guess is it won't be as bad as you think.

Cels Xx

Same here, 2 weeks post op today.  My right leg is a bit longer, than my left (THR 1/2013).  I think mine is a bit less longer than yours is.

I am going to see the surgeon on Tues and mention to him.  I am hoping the new hardware will settle in.  

Its not affecting P/T or rehab, I am way ahead of the game on that.

I will let you know what he says.  

Have a great DAY !

Janet

I think things will settle down in time. My left leg has always been 3/4 inch shorter than my right and my body adjusted to this. I didn't walk with a limp and I could wear heels. I had my hip replaced at 40 and they have now made my legs the same length, however I really struggled with this after surgery as the difference felt massive. I honestly thought I would never be able to walk 'normally' again. I am now 10 months post op and things have settled down and I walk without a limp. I have had difficulties with my knee and back adjusting to the change as my positioning is different now, but I have managed to wear heels and dance in them. 

I know now this is the opposite way around to your situation, but in my experience your body will adapt in time, it just may be a slower recovery than you would like.

Good luck. 

Sarah x

Hi Janet,

I hope the other replies have reassured you a bit.

My experience is similar (except there was no option really to wait for the surgery as both hips were 'shot' (surgeon's descriptor)). I was pretty shocked as like a surprising number of us - I thought it was all part of long-standing back problems!

Re LLD - mine left is shorter by 1/2 after close to 6 months. I just had my follow-up and set the date for my second hip and the surgeon noted the difference, promised to adjust for it with the 2nd hip and suggested that I purchase an orthotic lift that one can get from the pharmacy to compensate for the difference until my next surgery in 6 weeks.

This helps although I was already able to walk without a limp most of the time. It helps most with allowing other joints to readjust to my post-surgery posture and gait (straightened and smoother) ??.

It may be worth giving this more time - the degree of swelling and healing underway is impressive by any standard and the difference may in fact reduce as these take place.

Wishing you well with your new hip and recovery.

Linda

Hi Janet

I'm 2 weeks tomorrow and also feel a leg length discrepancy that my doctor told me will start to be less noticeable the more I walk. So far have not finding that to be true. I'm only 2 yrs older than you and also was quite active and did this surgery early to get it out of the way as I was only just starting to experience pain because of no cartilage in hip at all. I'm not needing another HR now either. I also still take a pain killer every 6 hrs and am out walking on my own unaided and doing exercises.

Im REALLY hoping I don't have to wear a lift insert and will just try and see if the walking helps to normalize how I feel. Stay in touch. Sorry for ur problem.