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Leg Feels Longer

Posted by heavyphil @heavyphil, Nov 12, 2025

Just had Rt hip replaced using STAR approach. My leg with the new joint feels longer…anyone else have this? They say it’s normal due to joint breakdown over time, but it id unsettling!

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Nov 16, 2025
In reply to @dannyandebbie "@budisnothome my wife has the same issue. Orthopedic doctor prescribed a shoe lift for her right..." + (show)
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@budisnothome my wife has the same issue. Orthopedic doctor prescribed a shoe lift for her right shoe; gate is better but continues with a limp and it also effects her lower back.

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Sorry to hear this Danny.

I had my right hip replaced in March this year. I'm 71, in very good shape, normal weight. Left hip still ok. I don't sense any leg-length discrepancy, other than the first few months after surgery.

Just one idea, check out orthotic maker GoodFeet. I started wearing these a year ago and they have helped with my gait and posture.

I hope something clicks and works for your wife. Low back pain is just nasty and there should be a way to reduce or eliminate that.

All the best to you and your wife.

Joe

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heavyphil | @heavyphil | Nov 16, 2025
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Hey Phil, I had my right hip replaced this March, anterior incision, and that leg did..." + (show)
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Hey Phil,

I had my right hip replaced this March, anterior incision, and that leg did feel longer for a few months.

That sensation stopped I guess a few months ago. It wasn't an abrupt change.

Please keep in mind that with any joint replacement, even a relatively "easy" one like the hip. to can take up to a year for the joint capsule to scar over and get used to the new metal and plastic parts.

Hope that helps Phil.

Joe

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@heyjoe415 Thanks Joe, I saw an online doc talk about this phenomenon; the arthritic hip shrinks down about 6 mm’s over time.
You wake up from the OR and voila! Your hip and leg are restored to their proper length…how can it NOT feel longer??
My wife is understandably concerned, but we went to HSS and had a surgeon who is known for taking precautions against leg length discrepancy…he didn’t accept Medicare either, so he’d better deliver!
Phil

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dannyandebbie | @dannyandebbie | Nov 16, 2025
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Sorry to hear this Danny. I had my right hip replaced in March this year. I'm..." + (show)
Profile picture for heyjoe415 @heyjoe415

Sorry to hear this Danny.

I had my right hip replaced in March this year. I'm 71, in very good shape, normal weight. Left hip still ok. I don't sense any leg-length discrepancy, other than the first few months after surgery.

Just one idea, check out orthotic maker GoodFeet. I started wearing these a year ago and they have helped with my gait and posture.

I hope something clicks and works for your wife. Low back pain is just nasty and there should be a way to reduce or eliminate that.

All the best to you and your wife.

Joe

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@heyjoe415 thank You, I’ll share this with her

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Nov 20, 2025
In reply to @heavyphil "@heyjoe415 Thanks Joe, I saw an online doc talk about this phenomenon; the arthritic hip shrinks..." + (show)
Profile picture for heavyphil @heavyphil

@heyjoe415 Thanks Joe, I saw an online doc talk about this phenomenon; the arthritic hip shrinks down about 6 mm’s over time.
You wake up from the OR and voila! Your hip and leg are restored to their proper length…how can it NOT feel longer??
My wife is understandably concerned, but we went to HSS and had a surgeon who is known for taking precautions against leg length discrepancy…he didn’t accept Medicare either, so he’d better deliver!
Phil

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Thanks a lot Phil. 6 mm sounds right. It isn't huge but it doesn't have to be to feel it. The feeling of leg-length discrepancy went away for me in about 3-6 months.

I don't know why surgeons don't let patients know about this.....

Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Nov 20, 2025
In reply to @dannyandebbie "@heyjoe415 thank You, I’ll share this with her" + (show)
Profile picture for dannyandebbie @dannyandebbie

@heyjoe415 thank You, I’ll share this with her

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You're very welcome Danny. I wish you and your wife the best.

We were on a cruise a few weeks ago and I tried acupuncture for the first time on my lower and upper back. My back is extremely tight in the morning. The acupuncture relieved that. I had three treatments.

I have since learned that 1) dry needling is probably more effective at treating the lower back than acupuncture and 2) Medicare Part B covers acupuncture and dry needling treatments, 12-20 per year.

Please let me know if your wife finds some relief. I certainly hope so!

Joe

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baileyneverwinter | @baileyneverwinter | Nov 20, 2025

Had a hip replacement over a year ago. I absolutely had this issue. It didn't last long. The doctor explained that because my hip had been damaged for so long, it may have been compressed and my body had been accustomed to the wrong length for years, so the appropriate correction felt wrong. I have a slight height difference, but I lost the feeling of the difference after several weeks. This is just my experience. Hope it feels better soon!

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