QuestionHi Sharon, I had a total hip replacement on May 10, and am getting around quite well. I am doing just about everything that I want to do, just a little slower. My question is this -- I have found that my leg (surgery side} is longer than the other. I`m not sure just how much. I need to get a shoe lift, and wonder which ones people have found to be the best. I also wonder if this leg difference will ever change back to normal. Or almost normal. Can you give me any info regarding these questions??? Thanks
AnswerHi Karen
Many people do have a leg length discrepancy after surgery. I can't say for sure if you have the problem correct itself, but depending on the amount of inches the discrepancy is, you may find that your gait compensates and the discrepancy evens out a bit. I have a difference of 3/4 of an inch and I wear a lift in my shoe of 1/2 inches. If you have more than 3/4 of an inch difference you may have to get your shoe built up on the outside because inside your shoe can only support a 1/2 inch lift.
If you can find a good shoe repair guy, bring in your shoe and he should be able to fashion a lift from extra sole material. Depending on the shoe, you can slip the lift into and out of your shoes each day. I had three lifts made and they cost about $30.00 each. I love them.
In the case of strappy shoes or dress shoes, my shoe repair guy cut off a bit of the heel from the longer heel rather than build up the shorter shoe, this way I evened out my gait without a lift. That was a bit more expensive and not all shoes can do that, it just depends on the style.
You will find that on the days you don't wear your lift, you may have back or leg pain. That's just from the difference in the leg length. It will go away once you put your lift in.
My doctor told me that most people, even those without problems have about 1/4 of an inch difference in their legs and the body will compensate on it's own. If it's any more than 1/4 inch of a difference, you will have to get a lift.
Hope this helps.
Sharon
