Revision THR Fidy Dances On :)

Fidy

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Jun 5, 2020
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Hi, I'm new and I hope someone can help me. Had THR last September, so almost a year out. Did PT for 6 months and have tried using heel lifts. Pretty sure I have leg length discrepancy. When I stand at the counter, doing leg swing exercises, my right leg swings easily, but my left (operated) leg scrapes the floor and gets stuck. I have to bend it slightly to swing it totally. I walk with my left leg slightly bent and then tip sideways to put the right foot down. Looks and feels like a waddle! I can walk upstairs changing legs but going downstairs I have to go one step at a time. Of course I have a two-story, with the washer/dryer in the basement! lol! My 25-year-old son comes over to do my laundry and go to the store for me. And I am so unsteady in the shower, I have to hold onto walls etc. to balance, so I'm scared every time. My house is so dirty, I'll only let my son in. And lastly (I've been going on and on, sorry) I can't stand very long because I feel like I'm tipping over. I'm a mess! I don't have much pain at all, but I constantly have to sit down and rest. It's extremely tiring, when you have to walk like this. I can't imagine going on like this forever. I basically have no quality of life. So enough whining. I just really wanted to be clear. :) I'm going back for an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow. Does anyone have any ideas on how to explain all this to him, in a better way? And has anyone else had an experience like mine, and how did you resolve it? Thanks, and I really appreciate you bearing with me! Amy :)
 
Hello @Fidy I’m sorry you’re struggling at ten months post op and disappointed with your progress. Please don’t lose hope. It’s good you’re addressing the situation and hopefully working toward a resolution.

I’m wondering who recommended the shoe lifts? Relay all to your surgeon tomorrow just as you‘ve explained it here. You’ve used a lift, you’re having difficulty navigating stairs normally, you deal with unsteadiness in the shower and tire easily resulting in frequent breaks off your feet to rest. Tell, or show him what happens when you swing your leg. I’m sure he’ll watch you walk and probably examine you lying down. Let him advise and go from there.
Best of luck to you. Please let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow.

If you’ll provide an exact date and which hip you had replaced we’ll apply the info as your signature. Thanks in advance.

Following is an article on LLD -
 
Welcome @Fidy that does sound exhausting, I am sorry you're having this. You've explained it well here, just repeat to the OS. If it were I, I'd also mention the PT, and what treatments and comments they gave you.

Hoping for encouraging news from your appointment tomorrow!
 
Thank you Z.
And thanks to all for your kind words. I'll report back tomorrow.
And Z, PT actually kicked me out last March. They said there was nothing else they could do for me!!! True story! lol
 
And Z, PT actually kicked me out last March. They said there was nothing else they could do for me!!! True story! lol

Obviously you had been the ideal patient! You could probably sit the PT certification exam and pass with flying colors! :rotfl:
 
Went to appt yesterday and my surgeon was in emergency surgery. But, xrays were taken and Dr's PA met with me. An FYI, I showed him what I had written here, as Z had suggested, and it really seemed to help with clarity much quicker, than listing symptoms. The PA had me show him how I walked, and my (now infamous) leg swing exercise! Then he showed me my xrays, and my left hip WAS higher than the right! I immediately felt relieved to know that I wasn't crazy, and a sort of vindication to those who hadn't seemed to believe me before. It's a mixed blessing, because you're relieved they found something, yet you're worried that they won't be able to help you. But, as my mom says "don't borrow trouble". The PA went right out with me to the scheduler, and I have an appt this coming Monday with my surgeon. I think this could be heading towards revision surgery. If so, does anyone have any experience with that? Being in the hospital, with Covid19 as it is today, really scares me! Thank you everyone, for the support. I'll let you know how it goes on Monday.
 
Then he showed me my xrays, and my left hip WAS higher than the right! I immediately felt relieved to know that I wasn't crazy, and a sort of vindication to those who hadn't seemed to believe me before. It's a mixed blessing, because you're relieved they found something, yet you're worried that they won't be able to help you.
I'm not sure that the X-Rays actually showed your left hip was installed higher than your right. It's very possible that the higher left hip is caused by pelvic tilt, rather than by anything that needs surgical correction.

I hope that your meeting with your surgeon on Monday clarifies this, and that your surgeon can suggest a plan to help.

Do let us know how your meeting goes, won't you? :friends:
 
Here is someplace not to borrow trouble. Set your mind at rest for the weekend, and see what the OS says. Keep in touch here! :yes:
 
Hello Fidy,
Please don’t assume the worst. Possibly its not the place of the OS to give you a firm diagnosis, or advise on next steps in this instance. Will look forward to your update on Monday. Wishing you a peaceful weekend!
@Fidy
 
Celle, could pelvic tilt be caused by a form of lordosis, or the like?
 
@Fidy to get somebody's attention when asking a question, it helps to "tag" them. You type the "at" sign, DO Not hit the space bar, and start typing their name. A dropdown list will magically appear which will contain their name. Select that, and you're done! So I type @Celle (question in #11 for you please) and get what the photo below shows.
E86F323C-ABCF-4541-B71E-4B725182DB29.png
 
@Fidy to get somebody's attention when asking a question, it helps to "tag" them. You type the "at" sign, DO Not hit the space bar, and start typing their name. A dropdown list will magically appear which will contain their name. Select that, and you're done!
@Fidy and @zauberflöte
We have an article about how to tag people:
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/tagging-other-members-and-answering-tags.56687/

There are lots of other helpful, "How to . . . ", articles in this section:
https://bonesmart.org/forum/view/how-to-use-this-forum.134/
 
@zauberflöte
This website is slick! Sorry, my computer skills are getting slower... like my walking!!!
I know, bad pun :mute:
 
@Fidy groaners are the ones I love! Yes, this platform must be the best there is. Now if it would also clean my bathroom....

Seriously, the tagging thing was foreign to me too when I first joined. And before I joined, when I was reading and reading on here, I'll bet I had 20 tabs open on my browser, so I could always get back to where I started. The organization of it (stellar!) eventually becomes second nature.
I have to keep up on my device skills! My elder son is an IT guy, and, though adopted, is definitely my father's grandson. Dad was a computer designer back when it would take a building the size of the Pentagon to hold the computing power that's fitting in my palm right now!
 
:holysheep:
I've been at a loss for words. Went to surgeon and demonstrated all my symptoms. We looked at xrays (still crooked) and he thinks it's something to do with my back. I'm seeing a back specialist tomorrow. He also wants me to see a neurologist (scary). They will be calling me to set up that appt. Then to top it off, I had my yearly physical yesterday, with a new internist, as mine just retired. I've had a problem, for about eight years, with extremely bruised legs and blue feet! Drs have sent me to every type of specialist possible and I've had every kind of test (not Raynauds and no DVT). He thinks this needs to be addressed immediately, so he's scheduling an appt with a cardiologist. (Btw, I do have high blood pressure.) I told him that my brother is always joking that I'll have to have my foot amputated. He told me that could be "a distinct possibility" (scarier). He said that I have severe circulation problems in my lower extremities. Now I have two major health problems to worry about! My body is a total mess and I still can't walk! End of whining. I will keep you posted about my hip and gait problems. I keep reminding myself to "not borrow trouble". Thank you for caring. :sigh:
 
Wow...You have a lot going on, Fidy. Hopefully the specialist you see tomorrow can shine some light onto the origin of your symptoms. Fingers crossed on that. Try not to be anxious about an appointment with the neurologist and view it as your OS taking every precaution to rule out the most serious of possibilities first.

Hopefully your visit with the cardiologist will reveal anything that needs to be addressed through treatment. You’re right not to borrow trouble. It doesn’t appear you‘ve been neglecting your health since you’ve dedicated time for annual physicals. With any luck you’re able to remain optimistic and will be moving forward in confidence soon.
Please keep us posted. We’re here for you.
@Fidy
 
@Layla
Thanks, I really appreciate the support.
 
Hello all! My one and a half year journey continues to trudge along, with a Left Hip Revision on May 12, 2021.
 

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