Apologies sincerely to harp on. The leg is scarily shorter. 34 mill. I see surgeon next week but need to prepare questions to hopefully get my way forward due to this short leg, He told me on the phone to just walk and not exercise,? and I have a pain at bottom of buttock now which is unhelpful
I'm usually quite positive but now I'm confused as in pain and given these mixed s messages
I do a few exercises a aive taken on board most say it helps a lot and prevents scar tissue which makes sense to me. His registrar told me at 8 weeks not to massage scar as it is bad for muscle. My physio thinks my scar is bad and tells me to massage I go,back to him this week also but been unable to do his side lift leg at all, I feel the leg is a ton weight. My daughter has lifted it for me a bit then I can lift a couple,of inches. So I gather this big muscle is wrecked. I had a limp for 9 yrs before op but was told twice it is not the hip joint even though I had groin pain then pain up back at side I finally paid for private consultation and told to get a hip op. So it feels a long painful road tbh
If anyone had similar experience of how,I a man at present I would be grateful for a reply or pm.
Thanks 🌻🌈
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I am sorry you have had a bad experience. It sounds like your best plan will be an accurate measurement and shoe raise ansap otherwise the exercise and walking will just encourage incorrect walking and posture. I am two weeks out and see the physio every two weeks where they will very gradually increase specific exercises. They are planned around muscle strengthening but healing is just as important so rest is encouraged. Best wishes. I hope you can get to a better place.
thanking you for taking time to reply. So you had your op two weeks ago? May I ask is it nhs physio? It's awful to question your surgeons lead, I see him in thurs. I haven't seen him at all as I saw registrar at eight weeks ( I had to chase appointment as I wasn't given a six week one ). But he's asked to see me and I realise I need shoe lift and appreciate your points, although had read you don't put in shoe lift until you have worked muscles, so you can understand confused . Com, Maybe it's a bit of both for balance. I've jut put a make shift shoe lift in this morning and it's marvellous to feel it a bit better, more like before.
Hi Jeppy. I eventually went private after a series of mishaps with NHS. My rheumatologist said it was wear and tear and the X-ray showed mild osteoarthritis but my surgeon showed me where the radiographer had missed the necrosis. It was very clear. The rheumatologist requested an MRI but I was told it would be months. I think I would have had to go to bed for a year or so while I waited for the op. I couldn’t bear weight at all. My private treatment has been outstanding with a clear plan.
Just reading /looking for info on shoe lifts it doesn't seem to be recommended early on as six months is mentioned on 2 reputable sites to ensure healing and natural body adjustments for,the end result. Il see what he says I recall that He did say on the phone about a six months adjustment due to my tilting pelvis which is a consideration I haven't been aware of but seeing the x ray it's clearly tilting badly
The leg discrepancy happened to my mother in law after her hip replacement she had to get a lift made and you definitely want to do this soon because limping can create more problems for other side.
If it’s been 3 months since hip surgery and your leg is “scarily shorter” you need to take action and try a lift to even things out …. Muscle stretching has zippo bearing on difference length between two legs …. Leg length comes from bone not muscles.
The leg doesn't measure less than other leg but feels shorter as hitched up with high pelvis side
Do the disagreement is that if you wear a shoe lift too soon you aren't allowing space for leg to come back down when pelvis straightens so hindering the natural progression.
Hope helps understand
The other hip shouldn't be harmed short term - if it is the understanding is it would have become problematic in the nit so far future if in a bad way x
Hi, just going through messages on hip replacement and saw you said yr leg was different length, wanted ask how are you getting on now, I’m 9 weeks post THP, doctor said my leg was shorter on opposite site and will refer me to podiatrist presume for shoe inserts, any info much appreciated.
I'm seeing a mctimony chiropractor on Sat as my dilemma is the rather large pelvis tilting up since op.
Surgeon says it will slowly correct with walking but tbh it's hard to manage
If your pelvis is straight and got a tiny leg discrepancy it may well be fine to get the shoe prosthetic. I was lead to believe this is after around 6 months so you don't prevent muscle repair & possible lengthening but I'm not a doc! But why are there varying views
It makes sense to give nature time to recover tendons muscles etc you don't want to stifle if you fill shoe. Maybe it won't make much diff in your case
It is really helpful to read these posts. I had a very successful Thr for Avascular Necrosis and after 8 weeks was striding out beginning to go boor walks again. . Then tendinitis started up and I am back to limping around and crawling up the stairs again, it’s very depressing. My podiatrist gave he a 5 mm lift and I am doing exercises from my physio to no improvement.But after seeing your post I should give it more time to settle in. I worry that my limping and strange gait will harm my recovery.
Hi I really empathise. Crawling up stairs especially! It's uncomfortable to fully weightbear, im at 5cms leg length as pelvis tips up 5cms, hard to manage and like you im wondering same - a physiotherapist has me walking small fast steps on the straight with head high and no leaning, but this isn't possible while working round house and I'm limping and on tip toe, mI do think though my gait was worse earlier on, before exercises, he had me doing side leg lifts which is excruciating and can only lift a few inches and bridges, and stepping up and down, however the mctimoney said on the phone that the muscle responds to joint so in my case I need the pelvis joint correction before can exspect too much muscle strength back - Iv lost a lot of tgat anyway as women do so Iv started HRT!!!!
Il let you know how I get on at Mctimoney this Sat if you like
I had tendonitus but it was up the crutching side and fortunately it settled, but have pain at back of leg into bottom I wonder if this is same? il find out on Sat hopefully it's painful
Please definitely let me know, wether my leg was shorter on left before op as when I walk pulls on Achilles’ tendon,back of ankle that is, wether surgeon measured but he didn’t say had length diff, I didn’t ask docto what’s the diff, lied down on bed could tell by pelvis, the Achilles may go as I’ve had right hip replaced, it may not, I want some help now get back work 3 weeks, am feeling very upset .
If you are able to afford, why not research chiro. You can speak at length to receptionist to ask of successes with archilles etc. Worth a shot. Look at reviews
I think the hip exercises do help. I was very weak but they gradually got easy, very slow, but baby steps. After seven weeks I was stepping out like a normal person 🤣My pain is typical Achilles tendon and heel pain but I have awful pains shooting into my shin, whether I rest or not. Can’t sleep. My physio said it would take weeks to resolve. Hope you feel better soon.
Me too. I go along and then anx revs up and I feel like there's no tomorrow. Which is daft It's overwhelm I suppose you seem to feel improvement then it seems worse again. This is why I suppose it's good to record it down, I saw someone the other day she said you're walking better!!! Hadnt seen her for a month. Think it's called impatience!!!😊
Considering I limped for ten yrs with groin pain this may be why I'm slow recoverer. I think mines possibly a bit complex like I had sonething going on when tiny. Then ten yrs of limping! Said I was too young for op and I knew I couldn't be off work for ages as no sick pay zero hour contract. So just plodded on sadly gave up my vice, dancing
My groin still achy not like b4. Doesn't feel strong to fully weightbear. So...... i best not get too excited about Sat x
You will have to let me know how you on at that appointment,wether my leg was different who knows, on the opp side where I had hip replacement for a year and a half I’ve suffered Achilles tendontitus, before hip surgery the physio gave me exercises, saw her 6 weeks after op , gave diff exercises, seeing her next week actually, have left a message and if she rings today will say what the doctor said about leg difference, he’s referred me to see a podiatrist for heel lifts, I thought the surgeon would have measured legs before and after, wether did , he said at my six week check, just walk no further exercises required, thought that was strange did my pelvis would settle and but if swelling in knees will settle once I get walking, wether no amount exercises for my Achilles will improve if have leg difference, I didn’t ask if it permanent, I should have . I have three weeks left before going back work and still limp with this Achilles, am interested see how you go, hope it successful
I'm sorry. It's wearing I know To remember it's early days, we just want to do what we can to get best potential but not good with these mixed messages! My surgeon says to 'just walk!' Then on line you read about a 12 week window!!! Which is really disheartening and is it incorrect anyway when you say doctor do you mean gp? May be a bit early for prosthetic my podiatrist said I'd be there for a shoe lift after a year, Surgeon says it will correct with walking I wish The physio measured my legs - literally measure from hip bone to ankle boney bit Both the same anyway maybe yours is slightly tilted pelvis can you ask surgeon they know by x rays before & after op we can have copies of X-rays How do you know it's 5 mm? I have to stand on top toe on one leg to stand straight, 5mm doesn't sound bad
Yes gp,I went six days ago as literally couldn’t walk with this Achilles ,he was huffy and puffy felt like I wasted his time when he said he will refer me, I said when will that be, he said whenever they can fit you in, so could be six months time, I’ll ask physio to measure me now you said that.
That's awful. When you need support! It's our mobility afterall. Some don't understand chronic pain... out of interest what exercises is physio giving? Is it nhs ? I'm using crutch today as you reach a day it's too much effort If have pain in both that's tough
Only Achilles exercises, stair lifts, stretching it ankle pumps, yes nhs physio, I said I can’t believe the surgeon says no further exercises just walk, she was bit surprised she said wether they have done so research and looked at people have and not and found doesn’t make much difference.
My podiatrist measured. She said that 99% of Thr have a leg length difference. Even a small amount can give you problems. My pelvis is straight on X-rays so it’s just a small amount from where they removed the diseased bone. I also have Polymyalgia Rheumatica so some pains from that and I am scheduled for nerve ablation soon on my Sacro iliac joint . So I have a lot going on🥴
I agree with you there was reading previous comments, you have to give the body time to adjust kind of thing, the doctor was rolling his eyes, Have you got a leg difference in a not so nice tone,in saudbi havent a clue, won’t see him again as he made me feel I was wasting his time. I’ll ring tomorrow see a dif one, won’t get an appointment now, got ring on the day.will ask physio if she calls, let me know how you get on, thank you .
Thanks choc follow instincts it's time thing yes I had built up shoe when little so something was going on & a foot throws inwards, same op side, but it just passed and I only know as my older sister can remember and it's on a photo ! Anyway.having been an avid tap dancer & jiver I think it's done pretty well all in all!🤣😂
we all heal at diff rates and each case unique , i dont understand why legs aren't same length after op if they were before op? You would think the new joint will replace the worn bit but I'm black & whiting arent
What does surgeon say?
Mine unhelpful sadly I have pain now up back of leg into bottom I asked about it and all I got was 'do you want another op!😟
I know same here feel like the first thing physio could have picked up on it, exercises not working for Achilles, am glad I did go to the doctors or I’d be goi g round in circles.they say walk with new hip but I can’t with Achilles tendontitus am hoping yours will help, maybe help with me, see what physio says later when she rings.
Yes I'm sorry I get it. You feel stuck in a loop it's like you have to compensate with both legs ! so with that I can imagine if have shoe lift to even legs out you give Achilles a better chance to recover, maybe it's a bit of both, shoe lift part of the time Sorry if seems daft im just balancing for each leg if know what i mean, does walking Bare foot around house seem a good thiught for archilles I just read it up it sounds v painful
hi yes I did Thankyou Holly he said in 6 to 12 months the soft tissue will replenish and measured pre op and post op rays of tilting pelvis he estimates the leg discrepancy will be minimal I shan't notice so I came away walking on air I had Chiropody following day she said we regularly get told this and will need high shoe insert (5 ml). However. Phew. My physio phoned the next morning to say I'm seeing his colleague ne xt week who has seen this correct ............... at present lying in sunbed in Minorca. Bliss
That’s great news for you. I have the same problem at 10 weeks post op and was told the same thing. At least the horrible groin and knee pain have gone though I now have low back pain. Enjoy your holiday.
I am 10 weeks post op. I could fully weight bare after 4 weeks and walk without aids. I use a stick for security if am going to walk for more than 10 minutes because the scar still feels tight and sore to touch and my lower back aches due to my pelvis being higher on one side. The surgeon has shown me the X-ray and says it should even up in time. I don’t limp but I do waddle. I don’t have inturned foot. I suppose it is early days really. Post again if and when you feel things are getting better.🤞🏼
....can take months even over a yr to reach potential he said. Different journey for all depends on eg fitness before op, age, length of time had it pre op ( I was 10 yrs!)
Mustn't forget its major surgery cutting big muscles eg physio I saw yesterday helped with leg work I walked quite well afterwards I'm going in swim pool to just walk and getting exercise cycle hes put me back on two sticks to walk properly heel down first
Hi I'm Lesley. I got my right hip replacement 8 days ago. Like you I'd been suffering from pain in my groin and hip, only really sore at the buttoch but I think it's mabey the bruising. My scar looks ok when the nurse took off the dressing to replace. . stitches cut at knots next week and think it dissolves the rest of the stitch, no staples. I'm managing to lift my leg today, and bend with leg behind then tilt but using my grabber if I drop things too. Was using furniture to aid my balance as I was moving without my sticks. I struggled to walk with the two crutches and found the one in my left hand easier. Been out twice and used my 4 wheeled trolley with seat. I have osteoarthritis in all my joints, and my left leg surgeon said we can do when my rights fully healed. I was limping quite badly before. Hoping to not limp at all in the months to come. I feel refreshed and glad it went well,the pain is worse after moving around, so I'm resting and doing excersises when up in-between. Up until today I couldn't lift my leg so I was happy getting strength back. I'm sure you will get there. I think I only had a 5 mm leg length surgeon said something like I'll try get the legs close to, but you may need a heel lift in shoes. I've just been walking bare foot around the house and massage the ankle area at night. Put on a stone since the op fluid retention. How are you doing/feeling now? L xx
You're doing well. I cant imagine massaging ankle though are you ok with this if going so low down🤔. After week 8 I felt really low as had mixed messages I didn't know what to do, the hospital physio didn't go beyond squeezing buttocks turning ankles and pressing down knees and the surgeon said 'just walk'
For me and this weak big muscle that wraps around hip this wasn't enough! Explained on other reply. I need to get it working again it needs to heal I'm sure
You would wonder if there's something to put blood through which must help, il adk that
Lots of good wishes. What im learning is not to think this or that pain is forever, there's a fix for it , each muscle has to heal and realign and strengthen, some more than others, he said the little bottom muscles get overlooked by big ones 😁
my leg deficit is 5 cms due to being hitched up by tipping pelvis. I think I put mm previously. I too have tilting womb I don't know if it affects anything maybe bladder
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Hip Replacement Revision
A painful leg
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Hip replacement operation 
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