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Misaligned hips-- who here has dealt with this?; Right hip is more than 1" higher
Topic Started: Oct 24 2006, 03:19 AM (5,251 Views)
Jake

Due to what I am 90% sure is a hereditary condition, my right hip seems to be, by my estimation more than 1" higher than my left hip. This makes my left leg effectlively longer, and (by my logic) puts more stress on my left knee, WHICH is the ongoing root cause of all my current knee issues (bone spurs, signs of arthritis at 26 years old, patellofemoral pain syndrome, foot pronation, etc etc). I am astounded that I havent had any serious back problems ever. The only thing I've noticed recently is that since about mid-summer-ish I would wake up in the night or in the AM after sleeping on my back, sit up at the edge of my bed for a few seconds and then BOOM! I feel a "crack" and sort of an electric shock jolt in my back. NO pain afterwards and no hindrance of ROM or activity. The "crack" occurs pretty low down my back, right below the lumbars (I think).

Anyway, I'm tired of this crap (the knee shit mostly, and having unbalanced hips in general) so I'm going to a chiro. If others that have had this problem can share experiences I would be most grateful....



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MaxPower
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Follower of Branigann's Law
Could be one leg shorter then the other that is causing the problem, throwing everything out of alignment.

A trip to a orthopedist(sp?) might be in order.
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Jake

I am considering that too. I don't think It's an actual anatomical difference. I would hate to have to get a lift.

Damn genetics....


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Jamie
First Moderator on the SDF; first to have moderator title revoked.
There's no shame in heading to a doctor and getting a professional opinion. Best of luck with this, Jake.

In the mean time, here's a link to look through:
Knee Pain (posted by Colin originally, I think)

Sean has lots of stuff for knee pain on here, too, so browse through that. Do what you can until you've been diagnosed professionally.
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Jake

I've been doing the knee stuff for a while already, and it helps so far.
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sqeezemasterflash
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Now you're boring us
My Chiro was able to fix this with a spinal adjustment. If you still have some shortness, an insert in your shoe can help quite a bit.
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Caber McJock
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I agree
second on the insert, agood chiro can advise you on that.
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Raptor
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Who's Your Daddy
Hey man, your symptoms sound similar to those caused by Perthes' Disease in children. The symptoms continue into adulthood and one leg longer than the other is a common sign of this. I was thinking that developing this condition in childhood without knowing it may be the course of your hip/knee problems now. Here is some info on this condition. I know 2 people with it, my youngest brother who is age 9 (diagnosed with it at age 6, now walks with a severe limp + right leg the affected one is 1'' shorter), and someone from college who also happened to have the biggest upperbody i've ever seen!

INFO:
http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/27000664/

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Jake

Thanks for the lnik!

I think this is what my brother had. He had to have pins put in his hip when he was 14. I remember him limping around very badly and it got worse over time before the surgery. I don't think I have this because I have no pain in the hip at all. Only my left knee which is pre-arthritic and has patellofemoral syndrome, and sometimes the right lower back.

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Jake

OK, upon further review:

Perthe's disease symptoms:

Limp. This may gradually become worse over a few weeks. However, the limp is often painless.
Pain in the hip and groin area. The pain may radiate to the knee or thigh (referred pain). In some cases, pain in the knee is the first symptom.
Stiffness and reduced range of movement of the affected hip.
In time, the affected leg may become slightly thinner (wasted) as it is not used as much as the other leg.

I don't limp. No pain in the hip. Pain is in the knee but I don't think it's radiated from somewhere elese. No ROM restriction in the hip (left is actually more flexible over all, the IT band it looser than the right). My left leg is slightly thinner than the right but I think this is more a result of me favoring my left leg for some reason, perhaps knee related or structural due to the tilted hips

Enough mental masturbation though, until I've been to the chiro (within 1 day I hope)

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Raptor
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Who's Your Daddy
No probs man. How is your brother coping with it now? Full recovery?

The chiro you get your hip/knee sorted dude, good luck! :respect
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Jake

Full recovery, successful career as a football lineman in high school, and is now in the US Army for 5 years

Thanks for the comments. Chiro is 9AM tomorrow and I can't wait.


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Raptor
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Who's Your Daddy
Jake
Oct 24 2006, 09:31 PM
Full recovery, successful career as a football lineman in high school, and is now in the US Army for 5 years

Thanks for the comments. Chiro is 9AM tomorrow and I can't wait.

Awesome, glad he is recovered.

How did the appointment go? Any more news?
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Jake

xray of my hips is developing. The office is right up the road from where I work so I'll go back at 5 today. One hip is higher but XRAYS need to determine the extent of the imbalance. I also found out that my feet are fucked up. I knew I had flat feet, but to see that my weight distribution while standing is the EXACT OPPOSITE of what it shoudl be is pretty disturbing. So, I will be entering the wonderful world of orthotics as well


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GrantB
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Grant is a magnificent bastard
Orthotics cured my flat feet and really helped my knees feel better.
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Jake

that's good to know. I think I need to lose 100lbs too.

Turns out I have an 18mm difference between right and left legs. I left the office with a 9mm heel lift, which is the biggest they make. I don't even notice it right now, so that must be a good sign. Hopefully with further adjustments I can stay with a 9mm lift


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Jake

One adjustment Friday AM. Now (Sunday) I am albe to stand in front of a mirror BAREFOOT and my hips were just about level.

Been stretching the shit out of my left hammie and doing "quadriceps sets" and weightless leg extensions constantly. This makes my knee very happy. I am on the road to recovery! I will commence light (but gut busting) training tomorrow morning!

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Jake

Update:

2 months in.

I was discharged from active care at the chiro. It turns out that I am going to have to wear the heel lift if I want a reduction in knee pain. The orthotics alone aren't enough, as having a short left leg is going to exacerbate any problems no matter what. That includes foot pronation. After the knee flare-up this week (4 weeks back to training, tendonitis came back) I tried squatting with a total heel liftage of 16mm (close enough, within 2mm of perfectly level) and there was no pain and I felt fine, although WEAK AS ALL FUCKING HELL. It seems that despite my left leg being smaller (although muscles around the knee are large) than the right, the left side as actually stronger, esp. the left hamstring. This is consisten with what the doc said, in that the shorter leg will always get more wear.

I will be back, stronger than ever, and I will overcome my genetics. BANK ON IT!!!

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