Re: please help me- post op 12/9/03

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/18/2003 4:56:39 PM Eastern Standard Time, GHCRWC@... writes:

hi , i am soon to be 45 yr old mom of 5. I had my left hip replaced

last tuesday. ( 8 days ago) . i am doing very very well- except ,

my legs are not the same length.

i am depressed about this-

i feel so good but I am hobbling about. my surgical leg was a bit

over 3/4 of an inch longer on day 3( i stood on various

paperbacks to figure it out) then on day 6 it was a bit over 1/2 an

inch.

How ironic! I just had knee surgery 9 days ago and my "new leg" is now longer, quite a bit! The PT says not to worry, it will "settle" in. And a lift can be put in my opposite shoe to help compenstate. For now, she has me wearing a regular shoe on the unoperated leg and a slipper on the longer operated leg. I can't go outside yet so it's no big deal. This seems to even me out pretty much although I hate wearing a slipper as I'm not getting the arch support I need so my foot is aching now.

I even though that perhaps my dr. did this to me as a guarantee that I'll go ahead with knee surgery on the shorter leg (ie. read: more money in his pocket!). It's an awful thought but until I see the Dr. for my one month visit, I won't know for sure the real reason.

Perhaps you could try what I'm doing? Let me know how you're doing. I hope you're recovering nicely otherwise. Remember your exercises! That's what everyone keeps telling me! <G>

[Guest guest]

Hi Gay,

I have been through 4 THR's and on all 4 one leg was shorter and within

months they were the same. This last time in April I was afraid they would

never be the same but they are. So give it time and please don't be

depressed over it. I know it is worrisome cause I knew about the

differences and still was a little worried.

Maybe it has to do with swelling. Also your doctor can show you on the

X-rays they will be even.

Hang in there and you will be back to going and without the pain.

Love and friendship,

http://www.mmpets.com/

Mystery Mountain Pets

Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it is the quiet voice at the end of

the day saying, " I will try again tomorrow " .

please help me- post op 12/9/03

> hi , i am soon to be 45 yr old mom of 5. I had my left hip replaced

> last tuesday. ( 8 days ago) . i am doing very very well- except ,

> my legs are not the same length.

> i am depressed about this-

> i feel so good but I am hobbling about. my surgical leg was a bit

> over 3/4 of an inch longer on day 3( i stood on various

> paperbacks to figure it out) then on day 6 it was a bit over 1/2 an

> inch.

>

> my doctor and his nurse say to give it time- as much as 6

> months. but the visiting nurse says she hasnt had a patient with

> this problem. i am so scared - I went thru all of this and now will

> have another problem.

> of course, they told me there could be a minute discrepancy pre-

> op and mention heel lifts - but a half an inch is alot.

> please is there anyone out there that had this same problem?

>

> my back is being twisted by the difference in length so its

> bothering me too.

>

> thanks,

> gay

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I understand. Before my surgery on Nov 17th, I too had about a 1/2 leg length discrepancy on the operative leg. Now, after surgery there is still a slight leg length difference. I went to a orth. shoe store to get a inside shoe lift before my back starts getting out of whack. Works good. But now a question for anyone.....how long did you guys use a cane before walking without anything? This is what I'M SCARED about...seems like the operative leg is still not strong enough to support me walking with it yet. I feel like I'll never get off the cane. Kat

please help me- post op 12/9/03

hi , i am soon to be 45 yr old mom of 5. I had my left hip replaced last tuesday. ( 8 days ago) . i am doing very very well- except , my legs are not the same length. i am depressed about this- i feel so good but I am hobbling about. my surgical leg was a bit over 3/4 of an inch longer on day 3( i stood on various paperbacks to figure it out) then on day 6 it was a bit over 1/2 an inch.my doctor and his nurse say to give it time- as much as 6 months. but the visiting nurse says she hasnt had a patient with this problem. i am so scared - I went thru all of this and now will have another problem.of course, they told me there could be a minute discrepancy pre-op and mention heel lifts - but a half an inch is alot.please is there anyone out there that had this same problem?my back is being twisted by the difference in length so its bothering me too.thanks,gay

[Guest guest]

If you are 8 days out and hobbling about you are doing great. Give your self 3 months of religious excercise before you make any determination about where you stand as far as if it is successful or not. Wear the ortho shoes if they help and keep on hobbling. My doctor kept me on crutches for 5 weeks befor he let me put full body weight on the affected hip. Never give up.

Mike

[Guest guest]

I think the real ques is "Was your left hip was shorter to begin with and is your leg really shorter or does it just feel like it". Mine was 1/2+ inch shorter and now it feels like its longer after my THR on 11/18. Actually it's the same length but I compensated for 62 yrs and now it will take 6+ months to overcome. Lets hope your doc made both legs the same length; it's suppose to be one of the advantages of THR. I'm hoping the back pain I've had much of my life will go away now that I'm back in 'balance'. Good Luck

Pops

please help me- post op 12/9/03

hi , i am soon to be 45 yr old mom of 5. I had my left hip replaced last tuesday. ( 8 days ago) . i am doing very very well- except , my legs are not the same length. i am depressed about this- i feel so good but I am hobbling about. my surgical leg was a bit over 3/4 of an inch longer on day 3( i stood on various paperbacks to figure it out) then on day 6 it was a bit over 1/2 an inch.my doctor and his nurse say to give it time- as much as 6 months. but the visiting nurse says she hasnt had a patient with this problem. i am so scared - I went thru all of this and now will have another problem.of course, they told me there could be a minute discrepancy pre-op and mention heel lifts - but a half an inch is alot.please is there anyone out there that had this same problem?my back is being twisted by the difference in length so its bothering me too.thanks,gay

[Guest guest]

Hi, I can't believe that you are nine days post-op and sitting at your

computer :-) You must be doing pretty well aside from the discrepancy

in leg length. That is a bummer! Yes, I have spoken to several

people who had that problem after their surgery. They all solved it

by using orthotics.Have you talked to your surgeon about it? Ask him

or her where you can go to have your shoes fitted for inserts. Or

ask your physiotherapist. She or he should definitely know. I feel

for you :-(. I was just really lucky that both my legs came out the

right length. Good luck with it and withyour general recovery. Take

care, Sigrid

> hi , i am soon to be 45 yr old mom of 5. I had my left hip replaced

> last tuesday. ( 8 days ago) . i am doing very very well- except ,

> my legs are not the same length.

> i am depressed about this-

> i feel so good but I am hobbling about. my surgical leg was a bit

> over 3/4 of an inch longer on day 3( i stood on various

> paperbacks to figure it out) then on day 6 it was a bit over 1/2 an

> inch.

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi again- hope I have this method of posting down right- i seem

to be confused by this format.

but thanks for the responses to my leg discrepancy issue.

it so comforting to know that others did have this problem and it

resolved. i dont want to give in to orthotics at this point- i was

hoping the surgery would be 'perfect " of course, i realize I may

end up with a slight heel lift- but hopefully it can be a simple

scholls over the counter type thing. I would like to be able to wear

sandals and back less shoes.

i am not wearing different hieght heels as my doc said that might

stunt the leveling process.

so... I guess it will get better- I hope so , its improved about 1/4+

inch in the last week ( day 4 - 11 ) for me.

otherwise - you bet i am doing GREAT I walked 1.5 miles on day

9 , I can get across a room without a crutch if I have to ( want to ,

choose to). every day i am amazed how much stronger I feel. I

was lucky enough to have a very therapeutic steroid injection into

the hip 7 weeks pre-op and i hit the gym for light weight classes,

core strengthing and mild cardio before surgery.

so , i know I am fortunate. it was just a big shock to have one leg

3/4+ of an inch longer than the other - and makes you think -

what if they had put the next smallest sized prothesis in ?

oh well, I'll get there. thanks for the feedback

gay