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What Is The Acceptable Leg Length Discrepancy After Total Hip Replacement Surgery?

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Posted on Thu, 16 Jul 2015
Question: what is an acceptable leg length discrepancy after a total hip replacement? I have a pronounced limp and my shoe has had to be lifted by 4.5 cms.
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Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Leg length discrepancy should not be more than 1cm!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this leg length discrepancy following your surgery. I cannot understand what must have transpired for you to end up with about 5cm discrepancy in length. I think something is really wrong and your surgeon should say whether there were any specific reasons why yours turned out this way.

For now, try to maintain balance as much as possible as any falls can be damaging. Also, avoid walks that are not really warranted until you get a permanent and more friendly solution to this. Please, ask the surgeon directly why you have should a huge discrepancy as it might have be related to findings/difficulties during surgery that no one else but him knows best.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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What Is The Acceptable Leg Length Discrepancy After Total Hip Replacement Surgery?

Brief Answer: Leg length discrepancy should not be more than 1cm! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this leg length discrepancy following your surgery. I cannot understand what must have transpired for you to end up with about 5cm discrepancy in length. I think something is really wrong and your surgeon should say whether there were any specific reasons why yours turned out this way. For now, try to maintain balance as much as possible as any falls can be damaging. Also, avoid walks that are not really warranted until you get a permanent and more friendly solution to this. Please, ask the surgeon directly why you have should a huge discrepancy as it might have be related to findings/difficulties during surgery that no one else but him knows best. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.