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Leg length difference after TKR! What can be done?

Joint Replacements | Last Active: Feb 15 3:59pm | Replies (78)

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@lturn9

I understand your problem only too well. I have had 4 TKRs on my left leg and a 5th surgery to install a antibiotic stint. My left leg is now almost 3" shorter than the right and I could not walk or do PT until I had a shoe modified. It made a big difference to have that shoe, but the height gives me balance problems. I was finally able to start putting weight on my leg and do important PT. I still have to use a walker and the doc says my joint will fail at some point but he's not sure when. His suggestion to fix things is to replace my hip (which is fine at the moment) and put a rod between the hip and another new knee which would restore my leg length and hopefully (not sure if they know) stop my knee joints failing. That would require multiple major surgeries and cause a lot of stress to my wife, kids and me. I still don't know what I'll do but hope I can learn some other options here. I suggest you ask your ortho to help you estimate how much lift a shoe might need and have one made. Trying to walk with a short leg is like walking while putting one foot in a hole. Best wishes.

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Replies to "I understand your problem only too well. I have had 4 TKRs on my left leg..."

I have had hip replacement, broken femur, and ending up with one leg longer than the other, I ha d surgery making them both the same length. My thinking in your case is to go some where like Mayo. They have done corrective surgery. I wouldn't mess with all the surgery that doctor wants you to go through..