I'm 4 weeks before my scheduled Surgery. I've read a lot of post of leg length discrepancy post- surgery but none prior to. My hip pain started 5 years ago, but it was a sudden change in length 3 years ago that triggered me to seek medical help. I noticed it one day after getting off the treadmill. I would also catch myself tripping on my left foot when just walking down a hall at work for no reason. My Right leg seems a good inch shorter then the left. A physical therapist gave a a lift to wear in my shoe which helped with some of my back pain. My Surgeon's assistant said it is possibly from my pelvis shifting. Has anyone had this shortening and did it correct itself after the resurfacing. Thanks, Tom
lttez, you are referring to what some surgeons call contracture. The muscles around the hip contract or shorten to reduce the motion of the arthritic hip. The hip loses its range of motion. In order to walk the back begins to make up for that loss of motion by flexing more resulting in pain. The back will flex too when lying on your back. If you sleep on your back this way you wake up very sore. It all goes away with hip resurfacing. The muscles all return to normal and the back pain goes away too. Completely away.
Chuckm
My op leg got 2mm longer after the surgery. My right (non-op) leg got messed up years ago after I broke it and it set crooked, so I'm not sure if they evened out or not.
Where are you having the surgery?
Dr Brooks, at the Cleveland Clinic.
Just seems strange that I can stand on my Left foot and be 6'2", but standing on my right I'm 6'1". That will be great if I get evened out eventually.
Tom, I had a difference of 10mm before my THR with Mr Treacy.
I wasn't aware of it but he noticed it as soon as I got on his couch and corrected it perfectly with the surgery. I believe its harder to correct with a THR than HR but like Chuck, all my previously seized muscles are now in full use - without pain!