Pain, large bump, leg 2 inchs longer

[Mark Swim]

Hi, My sister had a hip replacement about two months ago. She continues to be in a tremendous amount of pain. There's a large bump where the surgery was and her leg is two inches longer than the other one. She's only 4 ft 8 inches tall and the doctor, after the surgery, said she had the smallest hip that he'd ever seen. Can any one tell me, is this normal? Any suggestions. Thanks. Mark

 

[Texas]

Hey Mark welcome, Im a knee so i wouldnt want to say but i wish her the best and hope she gets relief soon............) post anytime............

 

[JudyS]

Welcome Mark. That is sweet of you to be looking into this for your sister. I'd say being in a huge amount of pain is not normal. i don't know anything about the bump.
Our wonderful nurse, Jo, will be on and give you the best info. What has the doc said after? At that point i was walking a lot and swimming almost every day without much pain althoug I was still on painkillers. But they worked.

Is your sis on any pain meds? Is she in physical therapy?
judy

 

[Jamie]

Judy is right....our forum nurse, Josephine, will be online soon and provide her expert opinion. My thoughts are that your sister may need to get a second opinion if her current surgeon is telling her everything is fine. I wouldn't think she should have severe pain after 2 months. And the "bump" is bothersome.....

 

[Josephine]

Well, has she had it investigated? If so, what does her OS have to say about it?

A 'large bump' seems to be saying haematoma to me.

As for the leg length, who told her it was 2" different? If it was the surgeon or the PT, it would be worrysome as that's an awful big differential.

But the thing is, there are two 'differentials' which is apparent and actual. Apparent is when you stand with your hips (pelvis) tilted. When someone has a long standing deformity in the hips, the body compensates by tilting the pelvis so the legs seem to be the same length. Then, when the bad hip has a new joint put in, the normal length reasserts itself but the body still wants to tilt the pelvis so it seems for a long time that the legs are a different length when they're really not. It's just her body hasn't yet learned to walk with the pelvis straight again.

The actual length is when a doctor or PT measures from a bony point on the pelvis to the ankle bone on both legs. If that's different then the leg differential is a true one and not 'apparent'.

So has your sister been properly measured (and by whom) and told it was an actual differential?

Finally, you say she's in tremendous pain - what pain killers is she taking, what dose and how often? Does the doctor who's prescribing them know all the facts?

 

[Mark Swim]

Hi Josephine, thanks so much for the reply. It's very much appreciated. I will get all of the information you asked for and let you know. I did talk to my sister and she said that her leg with the new hip is 1 inch longer, not two as I originally stated. I hope it doesn't have to happen but do you know a doctor in Florida that corrects hip surgeries that have not gone according to the plan. I know that's too early and she will be meeting with a physician assistant in near future. For some reason she can't get in to see the doctor who did the operation at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Thanks again. We really don't know who to turn to. Mark

 

[Jamie]

Mark, try not to worry. Chances are really good that no replacement will be needed. It is quite common for one leg to seem longer just as Jo explained in her post above. I feel pretty sure this situation will work itself out as your sister progresses in recovery. I'm glad you will be able to get the information for Jo. She has so much knowledge and experience with hips and knees.....if she tells you not to worry, you can take it to the bank!