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Dr. Mary OConnor
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VIDEO: Dr. O'Connor - After Hip Replacement Surgery, Is One Leg Longer Than The Other?

Dr. O'Connor describes if one leg will be longer than the other after having hip replacement surgery.

Dr. O'Connor:
Sometimes after hip replacement surgery, the leg we operate on is a little bit longer. And the reason for that is, from a technical standpoint, is that sometimes we have to make it a little longer to make sure the soft tissues are well tensioned because we don’t want the hip replacement popping out of the socket.

Now most of the time, we get it really close, if not equal, and sometimes after surgery, the patient still feel a little longer for the first month or so as they are adjusting to the new hip. But there is a possibility that in the end your leg will actually be a little bit longer. So, that’s an important thing for patients to understand and I try to discuss that with patients so that they know that.

About Dr. O'Connor, M.D.:
Dr. Mary O'Connor, M.D., was accepted as a resident in orthopedic surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, New York in 1985. She joined the orthopedic surgery staff at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida in 1991, and since 2005 has served as department chair. Dr. O'Connor cares for people with hip and knee arthritis, failed joint replacements, and pelvic tumors.

Visit Dr. O'Connor at Mayo Clinic

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