Leg length

[Frustrated one]

I recently had hip surgury to amend a collapsed hip, which made a 3/4" difference from my left leg to the right. I walked with a limp, and wore a heel support to make up for this and to eliminate back pain.

My new hip is now 3/4" longer than the healthy leg. The surgeon made it this way saying the "good" leg was collapseing and when it was time to replace it, then he'll make them even.
I feel that I have basically switched a limp from one side to the other and moved my heel support from one shoe to another shoe.

I also requested the type of Ball & socket I wanted (not brand, but composition) and did not get that either.

Is this the Normal way things are done?

 

[westexas]

Frustrated one,
I am so sorry that happened to you. Go to the post surgery and read leg length discrepancy and at least you will know you are not the only one with that problem.
I am 50 and had my left hip replaced in February of this year. At four months, I realized my limp was due to the longer operated leg. Mine is 1/2 inch. It has been 9 months and I just got lifts for a few of my shoes. Luckily but sadly my other hip is arthritic and will have to be replaced next year. Believe me, it better be corrected. And, yes it has messed up my healing process because of the limp. My knee has suffered from it. Please keep us posted. Patty

 

[JudyS]

Frustrated one,
Sorry you are dealing with this. My doc and I discussed the type of prosthesis as well as his surgical approach. I was happy with his recommendation of a ceramic ball and highly cross linked poly cup. As far as his doing a posterior approach, it was what he was the most comfortable with, so I told him to use it.

Everything was a joint (no pun intended) decision. I had my right hip replaced June 6th and have been very happy with it. For the last month or so I can not even tell that I had such a major operation. I was lucky and ended up with both legs even.

Judy

 

[Josephine]

Well, first thing that jumps out at me from your post is that he was right to correct your leg to the length it SHOULD be, not to match your other leg which is, apparently, going to need surgery as well.

Second issue vis a vis the prosthesis. You say you requested such and such a prosthesis? Did he actually agree to use it? Did he say it was in his repertoire of usage? Did he have an explanation for not using the one you wanted?

You see, surgeons have choices too. They usually make these choices depending upon their experience during training and what they have seen. In the end, they get more expertise using 'this' product than 'that' one. If you wanted a particular unit it would have been best to make sure the surgeon you chose was experienced in using it.

However, I have often said on this forum - at the end of the day, one prosthesis is much like another. The firms all make claims that theirs is better than a competitors for X, Y, Z reasons but it's all hyperbole! They all function the same way, have similar funtionality and long term outcomes. All are pretty much tried and tested else they wouldn't be being used. Not nohow!

What makes the difference - the BIG difference - is that the surgeon is super-skilled at using .... whatever he is using. That, basically, is the crunch. Around 90% of the failures short and longterm, are due to faulty technique, not the prosthesis.

Perhaps tell me a bit more about your experience and which prosthesis you got, which one you wanted and why.

 

[jaz]

I can't comment on the leg length difference but I wholly put my trust in my surgeon to use the parts he felt comfortable with.

 

[mvo]

Hi Frustrated,

My sister has the same issue and is dealing with a one inch difference at the moment. But her surgeon made her leg the length it should be, so that when she has her other hip replaced next month the difference, if any, should be much less. So hopefully your long-term outcome should be good.

As to the parts, he used, I guess you need to have a chat with him, so you are both clear about what is going to be used and why.

All the best,
Monica

 

[MsSplenda56]

Hi Frustrated One,

I am one year post op with a 5/8 in LLD. My back is in terrible shape; I am still in physical therapy. My new OS ordered an X-ray of my spine and it’s a wonder I am walking. Whatever you do don’t wait to put a full lift on your shoe. The physical therapists I am currently seeing are excellent. The range of motion has drastically improved. The OS that performed my surgery wasn’t a communicator; this is my body and I need to know what I was paying him to do to it to make me better. Don’t be shy about asking questions.

I wish you all the best!

MsSplenda56

 

[szarak2000]

Hi Frustrated.
I'm equally frustrated. I am 6 weeks post op from LTH. I'm 29. My left leg feels and looks about 1 inch longer now than my right one. I can't manage to "fit" it where it belongs, to walk with the 50% weight bearing I'm allowed.
The really frustrating part is that my right leg was always good and it used to be 2.5 inches longer than the left (left had messed up growth plate my whole life). So 8 years ago, they SHORTENED my right leg by taking a chunk of bone out. Now - it is too short. My right hip is fine and I don't expect to replace it. I can only pray that this will somehow work out and get in place (they moved my entire left acetabulum down and over). I hope to walk with no limp or shoe support.
As for materials. My doc also switched from what we discussed, but I didn't care much. He had a good explanation. The materials are correlated to size (ball and cup size). Once he looked at my pelvis he saw how much bone stock I had and how much he'd have to remove, etc. - and made choice to leave as much of my bone as possible... therefore different size... therefore different material. I was ok with that.

Best of luck,
Lidia