Different leg lengths in an adult

[hoppy7]

Background: I'm 54 and have had self-diagnosed arthritis in my right hip for about 5 years, I guess, and knock-knees all my life. It causes me no pain, though sometimes my knee hurts from compensating. I've had asthma all my life and took prednisone for about 25 years, and continue to take inhaled steroids, both nose and lungs. In my 30's, I was diagnosed with avascular necrosis in my hips, mostly my left, but my right had acetabulum problems.

A few months ago, I went to an ortho to see if there's anything I can do to slow the progression (it is very difficult to tie my right shoe or cut my toenails, for instance). He never said it was arthritis, but he didn't correct me when I said it, so I assume I was correct. He took x-rays and said most people with such a narrow space at the hip are in a lot of pain.

Question: He also observed that my right leg is longer. When I sit, I can see a significant difference--about 2 inches. And as I think back, I realize this a new development. I don't know when it happened, but I think it could only have been in the last 10 years. What could cause this and should I be worried about this? I walk a lot for exercize and I get around ok.

[hpblair]

It sounds like ostio perosis, i broke my leg when i was 11 and lost 60% bone density wich has made my right leg shorter than my left leg

[hoppy7]

Thanks for wanting to help, but I don't have my x-rays, and even if I picked them up (and I'm not sure I can do that), they wouldn't be in e-form.

I have a feeling this is a case of apparent length. I don't know the official meaning of that, but I suspect that my leg bones haven't grown or shortened. Instead, I suspect there's been some remodeling of the hip joint, which led to apparent lengthening. When I do leg lifts while lying on the floor, the two sides act differently. The normal side lifts from the hip while the arthritic side lifts the buttock as well. I guess it's all part and parcel of my leg turning out and my range of motion reducing.

[abhijeet v ghosh]

hi hoppy.
Please upload your hip xrays. I will be able to comment on it in a better way.
Also, in orthopaedics, there are two types of length - true and apparent length.
So if your doctor is keeping a regular follow up of you, then consult with him for these two lengths.
You will know a lot more then.
regards
abhijeet

[hoppy7]

The funny thing is though... (1) My AVN got better, or, as a subsequent ortho suggested, the diagnosis was wrong in the first place; and more importantly (2) my arthritic hip is ipsilateral to the longer leg. Had the arthritic leg been shorter, it would make sense and I would assume the arthritis caused a slight collapse or erosion.

I'm not stressed. I'm pretty good now. I was just wondering if I should be concerned about the future.

[abhijeet v ghosh]

hi hoppy,
please remove the stress part. chill out.
now as far as your question is concerned, i would like to tell you that with a history of Avascular necrosis, you should take a pelvis with both hip X-ray. If your hip is getting arthritis, you can have a limb shortening, provided there is a gross arthritis.

Upload your hip x-ray here.

regards

[hoppy7]

Me one more time. I forgot to say I have osteoporosis, been on fosamax for 10 yrs, due to steroids.

[hoppy7]

It's still me--Hoppy7. I'm a bad judge of distance--the length difference is more like 1 inch. The difference seems to be totally above the knee. Another background thing: In the last few years my right leg has turned outward a bit. I suspect it may have been to compensate for the extra length, but you'd know better than I.