Thanks @Firecracker. I have a leg length discrepancy also. My PT measured and said I’m around 2 cm. Don’t think it is that much but probably still around 12~15mm. I’m coming up on 8 weeks post surgery. Still hoping it will settle in more!
THR Leg length discrepancy after THR / Physio & exercise in general
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Firecracker
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Yesterday I was 6 weeks and 1 day post operative TRHR and 7 years exactly TLHR . I'm not ashamed to say I threw myself a pity party with tears and everything! I think I am now a fully paid up member of the ODIC group. On Wednesday I used my exercise bike and I was pleased with how I managed but I definitely paid for it on Thursday! I had groin pain and knee pain which got worse over the day and even though I know from coming here for support and advice that you can go too far with exercise in the early days, this didn't stop me from spending most of yesterday on Google, catastrophising every little ache and pain as impending failure of my new hip replacement! My limp seemed to return, my head ached with worry, and I cried most of the day. As well as crying, I spent some time doing gentle walks around my house and managed just over 5000 steps over the course of the day 
I spoke to my husband and my daughter and they both agree that I am trying to run before I can walk, literally! Reading back through some threads here instead of tormenting myself with Google, really has brought me great comfort. It would seem that I might experience lots of aches and pains in the coming weeks and months and none of them mean my new hip is about to fail! I think I will call my doctor and ask for a prescription for patience and calm! :-
Today I will be relaxing and walking around the house again and until I see my surgeon next week, my exercise bike will be used to hang my cycling kit on! Thank you to everyone who is kind and patient enough with me, a perfect stranger from the Northeast of England who needs to slow down!
I spoke to my husband and my daughter and they both agree that I am trying to run before I can walk, literally! Reading back through some threads here instead of tormenting myself with Google, really has brought me great comfort. It would seem that I might experience lots of aches and pains in the coming weeks and months and none of them mean my new hip is about to fail! I think I will call my doctor and ask for a prescription for patience and calm! :-Today I will be relaxing and walking around the house again and until I see my surgeon next week, my exercise bike will be used to hang my cycling kit on! Thank you to everyone who is kind and patient enough with me, a perfect stranger from the Northeast of England who needs to slow down!
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Dear Firecracker,
You are about 6 weeks post op & if you are reading here you know this is a marathon recovery not a sprint. And even though you had hip replacement 7 years ago this is an entirely new road you are traveling.
Yes, patience pills should be prescribed along with the other meds for sure. We are all guilty of turning to Google for those quick answers.
Your husband & daughter are wise to tell you to slow down. Listen to your body, it will tell you what not to do & what to do. It took me a long time to get the patience, but once I just gave up that control (that I didn't have) and just let my body heal I was able to relax.
It's very normal to feel a little down & defeated but you will get to the other side of this.
You are about 6 weeks post op & if you are reading here you know this is a marathon recovery not a sprint. And even though you had hip replacement 7 years ago this is an entirely new road you are traveling.
Yes, patience pills should be prescribed along with the other meds for sure. We are all guilty of turning to Google for those quick answers.
Your husband & daughter are wise to tell you to slow down. Listen to your body, it will tell you what not to do & what to do. It took me a long time to get the patience, but once I just gave up that control (that I didn't have) and just let my body heal I was able to relax.
It's very normal to feel a little down & defeated but you will get to the other side of this.
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@myglasshalffull thank you! I'm a typical Virgo, over thinking everything and as a retired staff nurse, good at taking care of others but not myself! It means a lot to me that you've taken the time to reply.
Eman85
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Welcome to the ODIC, plenty of members in it, I've done it many times since my THR's. Keep in mind you can keep renewing membership, no limits. The advice I can give in my experience is sit and ice. Don't get too worried about walking a lot, you won't forget how to do it. We all do the google thing and get worked up over hardware failure and it's usually for no reason. The hardware is incredibly sturdy, the recovery is all about soft tissue.
And they are correct! You are so fortunate to have family who understand this recovery and are encouraging you to slow down.
Interestingly, it seems that about the six-week mark is when most of us hit that frustration point at which we "want to be better NOW!" As you say, it's great to be able to read all the member stories here to remind us that we are not alone.
Try to be patient a little longer. You've been through a hip recovery before and you can do it again.
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To quote staffer Roy Gardiner
"When you are icing and elevating and watching telly you are not 'dossing around' you are 'engaging a carefully considered proactively designed heuristically programmed dynamically structured recovery programme'."
"When you are icing and elevating and watching telly you are not 'dossing around' you are 'engaging a carefully considered proactively designed heuristically programmed dynamically structured recovery programme'."
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I love this and yesterday that's exactly what I did! I walked only to the bathroom and to the fridge for snacks
and watched two box sets with my husband. It was good not only for my physical health but also for my mental health myglasshalffull
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Sounds like just the type of day you needed!
THIS!
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Yesterday was exactly 7 weeks since my right hip replacement. I am definitely turning a corner in terms of my recovery I have avoided the ODIC all week and instead I have done gentle exercise and some walking. Yesterday I saw my surgeon and he was delighted with my progress. He reassured me that the aches and pains I had experienced were the muscles healing and they're big muscles so they need time. He is pleased with how I am walking and I have noticed a difference these past few days. I am limping much less, my knee now straightens almost completely when I put my feet together and I have minimal pain. He wants to see me in April next year and said now I can do everything in moderation I am definitely in a much better place today than I was last week! This forum has been tremendous in terms of knowledge and advice and understanding and I am so grateful to everyone who took the time to help me. My recovery isn't over yet by a good way so I will definitely be keeping in touch with this wonderful forum. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and wherever you are in your recovery, I truly wish you peace,patience and healing.
I have avoided the ODIC all week and instead I have done gentle exercise and some walking. Yesterday I saw my surgeon and he was delighted with my progress. He reassured me that the aches and pains I had experienced were the muscles healing and they're big muscles so they need time. He is pleased with how I am walking and I have noticed a difference these past few days. I am limping much less, my knee now straightens almost completely when I put my feet together and I have minimal pain. He wants to see me in April next year and said now I can do everything in moderation I am definitely in a much better place today than I was last week! This forum has been tremendous in terms of knowledge and advice and understanding and I am so grateful to everyone who took the time to help me. My recovery isn't over yet by a good way so I will definitely be keeping in touch with this wonderful forum. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and wherever you are in your recovery, I truly wish you peace,patience and healing.
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Thanks so much for your kind words in regard to the forum! We're happy you joined us and thank you for sharing your journey which will benefit others.
Glad you're in a better place than last week. Receiving a reassuring nod from our surgeon that all appears as it should and the progress made is pleasing to him, is music to our ears.
Here’s a tip -
Try heel-toe walking when you're limping.
This involves striking the ground with your heel first, then rolling through your heel to your toe, and pushing out of the step with your toe.
It takes a concentrated effort, but I believe you'll notice a difference. Give it a try.
![[Bonesmart.org] Leg length discrepancy after THR / Physio & exercise in general](https://bonesmart.org/forum/attachments/1732897221833-png.90504/ "[Bonesmart.org] Leg length discrepancy after THR / Physio & exercise in general")
I hope you have a great weekend!
@Firecracker
Glad you're in a better place than last week. Receiving a reassuring nod from our surgeon that all appears as it should and the progress made is pleasing to him, is music to our ears.
Here’s a tip -
Try heel-toe walking when you're limping.
This involves striking the ground with your heel first, then rolling through your heel to your toe, and pushing out of the step with your toe.
It takes a concentrated effort, but I believe you'll notice a difference. Give it a try.
I hope you have a great weekend!
@Firecracker
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Firecracker
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Good morning everyone
I'm now just over 8 weeks post operative right hip replacement and my recovery is still going well. Yesterday I went to York for the day and while I wasn't entirely pain free, I think I did really well. My groin pain is definitely settling but still a little uncomfortable, but what I wanted to ask about is foot pain. Prior to my surgery my right ankle occasionally ached and as I fractured it almost 4 years ago, it's not something I really worry about. Over the past few days though, both of my feet (the right foot more than the left) have become painful when I walk. The pain is mainly at the sides of my ankles and the top of my feet. It does respond to simple analgesia and I'm hoping this will settle down as my recovery progresses. Has anyone else experienced this sort of issue after hip replacement? I'm consciously making the effort to walk with the heel/toe approach to help with my gait. Any information about this would be very welcome
I'm now just over 8 weeks post operative right hip replacement and my recovery is still going well. Yesterday I went to York for the day and while I wasn't entirely pain free, I think I did really well. My groin pain is definitely settling but still a little uncomfortable, but what I wanted to ask about is foot pain. Prior to my surgery my right ankle occasionally ached and as I fractured it almost 4 years ago, it's not something I really worry about. Over the past few days though, both of my feet (the right foot more than the left) have become painful when I walk. The pain is mainly at the sides of my ankles and the top of my feet. It does respond to simple analgesia and I'm hoping this will settle down as my recovery progresses. Has anyone else experienced this sort of issue after hip replacement? I'm consciously making the effort to walk with the heel/toe approach to help with my gait. Any information about this would be very welcome
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Hello Firecracker 
I didn't have the same pain you describe, but instead it was my heel on the op leg. I believe your pain is due to the change in gait you're experiencing as your body adjusts to the prosthetic. Our gait changes as our hip deteriorates, then once again post op, per my surgeons PA.
You're likely dealing with some muscle weakness and we also consciously favor our op leg in an effort to protect the new joint. The favoring can overload certain areas of your feet like the sides and tops as you describe. Make certain you have a decent new pair of shoes that do not hold your pre-op wear pattern. You want good support and comfort. If you're wearing shoes that don't fit well or lack arch / able support you will not be comfortable.
Rest, ice, elevation and time will all likely help.
Happy Saturday, I hope its a good one!
@Firecracker
I didn't have the same pain you describe, but instead it was my heel on the op leg. I believe your pain is due to the change in gait you're experiencing as your body adjusts to the prosthetic. Our gait changes as our hip deteriorates, then once again post op, per my surgeons PA.
You're likely dealing with some muscle weakness and we also consciously favor our op leg in an effort to protect the new joint. The favoring can overload certain areas of your feet like the sides and tops as you describe. Make certain you have a decent new pair of shoes that do not hold your pre-op wear pattern. You want good support and comfort. If you're wearing shoes that don't fit well or lack arch / able support you will not be comfortable.
Rest, ice, elevation and time will all likely help.
Happy Saturday, I hope its a good one!
@Firecracker
My cousin had his second hip replacement (anterior, male) and is a chronic ODIC type. He was at Disney doing 7 miles of walking a day at 7 weeks. Now he has a four inch diameter circle over his incision filled with fluid (no infection) and is using lidcoane patches for nerve pain (we men have tight glutes so the anterior approach can be harder). His PT is giving him sideplanks and am just scratching my head....
Bottom line as @Eman85 and others have rightly pointed out, you're better off taking it slow and easy. I repeatedly had setbacks in my first year from trying to over do things and had one major setback I'm still getting over. Simply put, my biomechanics have been so bad for so long its taken months and months to make simple improvements and forced me into a totally different way of thinking.
Also you might do some research into The Feldenkrais Method, a form of somatic education that stresses gentle movement and directed attention to improve movement with eventual progression into functional stuff. This might be a good alternative to traditional PT.
Bottom line as @Eman85 and others have rightly pointed out, you're better off taking it slow and easy. I repeatedly had setbacks in my first year from trying to over do things and had one major setback I'm still getting over. Simply put, my biomechanics have been so bad for so long its taken months and months to make simple improvements and forced me into a totally different way of thinking.
Also you might do some research into The Feldenkrais Method, a form of somatic education that stresses gentle movement and directed attention to improve movement with eventual progression into functional stuff. This might be a good alternative to traditional PT.
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Good morning everyone,I am now 9 weeks and 4 days post operative right hip replacement and I'm happy to say I'm definitely on the road to recovery. The groin pain I had clearly just needed time to heal and recover and that's gone now. My leg length discrepancy is definitely lessening to the point where I rarely think about it now and my physiotherapist discharged me last Friday after my assessment revealed my muscles are equally as strong in both hips. I put this down to pre and post operative static cycling
I do still have foot pain mainly in the right foot but I know there's talonavicular arthritis there after I fractured my right ankle almost 4 years ago. Strengthening exercises and pain relief as needed are definitely helping, together with better fitting socks and shoes/boots. After Christmas I'm planning on getting my decent walking boots out of the garage and heading to the beach with my husband to walk from Redcar to Saltburn for coffee and cake and then walk back again, free from the ghastly pain of arthritis. I've missed this so much!
Wishing you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and as ever, thank you to everyone who took the time to help,support and advise me .
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At a similar mile stone 9 weeks in a few days. I have knee andxankle 'issues' on my new hip side
Had the other hip dobe nearly 5 years ago, so not my first rodeo!
Must faster physical healing this time though still have a limp but my gait is improving.
Took the decision to drop the cane around the house.
Walking with/ without it as I feel able.
I think I've just reached the get- on- with- stage now.
The only thing holding me back is relearning how to walk.
I'm not going to join the ODIC though.
I keep skipping physio as I've already got a pre christmas to do list, which seems a good excuse
Looking forward to the gain I now will come with time.
But for now
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
️
Had the other hip dobe nearly 5 years ago, so not my first rodeo!
Must faster physical healing this time though still have a limp but my gait is improving.
Took the decision to drop the cane around the house.
Walking with/ without it as I feel able.
I think I've just reached the get- on- with- stage now.
The only thing holding me back is relearning how to walk.
I'm not going to join the ODIC though.
I keep skipping physio as I've already got a pre christmas to do list, which seems a good excuse
Looking forward to the gain I now will come with time.
But for now
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
️
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@Firecracker 
great update!!!!!
Please check the underside of your boots to make sure that there's not a lot of uneven wear on them. You might need new heels or soles, if not new boots.
Best to you and yours for the holidays!!!!!
great update!!!!!Please check the underside of your boots to make sure that there's not a lot of uneven wear on them. You might need new heels or soles, if not new boots.
Best to you and yours for the holidays!!!!!
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Happy Three Month Anniversary!
I hope you had a nice Christmas, you're enjoying steady progress and looking forward to a great 2025!
Happy New Year!
@Firecracker
I hope you had a nice Christmas, you're enjoying steady progress and looking forward to a great 2025!
Happy New Year!
@Firecracker
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Good morning
I joined this wonderful forum back in October last year after my right total hip replacement which I had on October 10th. I also had my left hip replacement surgery back in 2017 and I recovered really well from both operations. Unfortunately, in June this year I had a fall which resulted in a fracture of the stem of my left hip replacement! I had a 5 hour operation to remove the old stem and cement and replace them with new components. The socket hardware is fine thankfully and there were no bone fractures. It's just four weeks since my revision surgery and I'm doing well although it's been a very big shock and I've had to process the major trauma and surgery I've undergone. I'm walking well with no leg length discrepancy at all, no limp, my wound is healed really well and I'm four weeks into a 12 weeks restriction program. What I am struggling with is the swelling in my left calf, ankle and foot. I'm doing everything I can to help myself, plenty of water, elevation, ankle pumps and other gentle exercise but this swelling is not moving. It goes down overnight and I have full range of movements in my ankle but as soon as I get out of bed the swelling starts again. There is no infection and no evidence of a blood clot, just a big fat foot! Am I being impatient after just four weeks? Will my foot ever be normal again? Honestly it's the only thing that's bothering me!
Thank you in advance for any help and support
I joined this wonderful forum back in October last year after my right total hip replacement which I had on October 10th. I also had my left hip replacement surgery back in 2017 and I recovered really well from both operations. Unfortunately, in June this year I had a fall which resulted in a fracture of the stem of my left hip replacement! I had a 5 hour operation to remove the old stem and cement and replace them with new components. The socket hardware is fine thankfully and there were no bone fractures. It's just four weeks since my revision surgery and I'm doing well although it's been a very big shock and I've had to process the major trauma and surgery I've undergone. I'm walking well with no leg length discrepancy at all, no limp, my wound is healed really well and I'm four weeks into a 12 weeks restriction program. What I am struggling with is the swelling in my left calf, ankle and foot. I'm doing everything I can to help myself, plenty of water, elevation, ankle pumps and other gentle exercise but this swelling is not moving. It goes down overnight and I have full range of movements in my ankle but as soon as I get out of bed the swelling starts again. There is no infection and no evidence of a blood clot, just a big fat foot! Am I being impatient after just four weeks? Will my foot ever be normal again? Honestly it's the only thing that's bothering me!
Thank you in advance for any help and support
