Richard Haynes PTA/CPT - 1/16/2009

Question
i have been sitting for 8 hours and i have bent down to pick something up from the floor and now my butt hurts. it is a dull pain and it feels warm to the touch on the side of my butt. could i have thrown my hip out? should i put ice on the warm spot? my total left hip op was 3 1/2 months ago.
my right leg is now about an inch shorter and it causes back pain.
i had a ct scan and my femur is shorter on the good leg. is this normal? how can a bone be shorter????
i would really appreciate an answer from you. thanks so much.
edie

Answer
Edith,

If you had dislocated your hip that was replaced you would no doubt know it. It would be extremely painful and you would not be able to move at all.
In that case 911 would have to be called and you would be transported to the local ER to have it popped back in under a general anesthetic.

You may have strained or stretched the sciatic nerve that runs along the backside where you described. Ice is a good place to start in that case.

Your orthopedic surgeon would have or should have told you during a follow-up visit after surgery if you in fact have a leg length discrepancy.

This will sometimes take place after a total hip. The surgeon makes every effort to match leg lengths during the surgical procedure. The new prosthesis will to some extent lengthen the operated leg back to its original length.

If the discrepancy is over 1/2 inch it may cause you some problems with walking and back pain. In that case the surgeon may recommend you get a lift to put in the right shoe.

If the surgeon has not made mention of it or the physical therapist that was treating you during rehabilitation, they may feel that the left leg will settle and the discrepancy or length will match the right leg.

That is the reason the right femur  now shows its shorter then the left, because of the metal prosthesis in the new hip.

I advise you to talk with your surgeon if the pain continues with your back and see if a lift will be needed.

Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.


Richard Haynes
Punta Gorda, Florida.
www.richardhaynes.com