Did you know? A knee or hip replacement could potentially change the length of your LEG.
Approximately 600,000 knee replacements are performed each year, while approximately 400,000 hip replacements are performed.
Some of our patients either have had or are future candidates for knee or hip replacement surgery, also known as hip arthroplasty or knee arthroplasty.
Six Risks Associated with Hip Replacement Surgery, according to Mayo Clinic:
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Fracture
- Dislocation
- Change in limb length
- Loosening
The main reason that individuals receive a knee replacement is because they have problems walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of chairs.
When getting an artificial limb, there is a possibility that the limb length can increase or decrease on one side.
In most of the cases where a patient feels the leg length changes, it usually goes away once the muscle and tissues stretch.
If the gait doesn’t normalize and a limp develops, custom orthotics with a built-in heel lift can level out the patient.
If left untreated, the adjacent limb may experience pain in the knee or hip because of compensation.
We would recommend an evaluation after each hip replacement, once the patient has been discharged from Physical Therapy.
If you want to be better in your everyday life, make an online appointment with Lexington Podiatry or call (859) 264 – 1141 today!