TKR Knee is now about 1/2" (about 1.5 cm) longer.

[Cherylb]

Before my RTKR, I was pretty bow legged in both knees. It's pretty cool to see the right leg so nice & straight! Due to the bow leggedness, the left is now uncomfortably shorter than the right. With the RTKR, all the pain in the left knee is gone, so there is no LTKR in the near horizon.

On the right side, I also have a herniated disc and a bone spur resting next to my sciatic nerve. We have had to adjust many an exercise to prevent irritating the nerve. Over the last month, this has caused more pain than the knee and frequently gently "reminds" me that it is there. At this point, a heating pad calms down the back so I can sleep.

I'm purchasing some custom orthotics to help with the height and arch issues, but when I'm home I go barefoot. As I am self employed, I work from home a lot.

I'm guessing that some of the "gentle reminders" are also due to this leg length issue.

Is this another "in time this too shall pass"? Is there anything else I can do to prevent the nerve from getting really excited and painful?

 

[Jamie]

Cheryl, I think you would be well-advised to change your habits at home and wear shoes so you can make use of the orthotics designed to keep your body in alignment. If you continue to spend large amounts of time barefoot and misaligned, you likely will hasten your next knee replacement as well as cause yourself spine pain.

Time may relieve you of this current inflammation and pain, but the body does not like to be out of alignment and I believe relief will be temporary.

 

[Josephine]

Have you ever tried a TENS machine for your back pain? Wonderful device! Highly recommended!

 

[RestAssured]

Cheryl. I had the bowleggness just like you did and after I had one leg repaired made the mistake of wearing my orthothic shoes. Well after consulting with my OS, he explained that not only was the foot realigned, the whole leg was. He explained that the orthotics will throw the new leg off. My right leg was 3/4 inch shorter than my right after the first knee replacement and so I made the decision to hurry and get the 2nd one done.
Good luck to you!