1 leg smaller than the other - Foot Problems Message Board

susieblueyes · 06-25-2004, 08:32 AM

It's me again

,
AS some of you know I have had many, many problems with my feet. Just recently(June 14th) I had bunions/hammertoe surgery on my left foot.On the 18th I ended up in the hospital for 6 days with an infection on antibiotics and morhine. As I noticed yesterday my left leg is quite smaller than my right. I know I have read that your leg(muscle) will get smaller after a period of time when not using it.But it has only been one week and a half since surgery.Is this normal? Has the infection or drugs damaged my leg?

Thanks guys

, Sue

cuvanni · 06-25-2004, 11:32 AM

I had hammertoe/bunion surgery on 5/13. After about 2 weeks I also noticed that my leg was getting smaller. Now at 6 weeks it is much smaller and the leg muscle shows signs of atrophy. I asked the doctor about it and he said that once I am able to bear weight the muscle will quickly come back.

susieblueyes · 06-25-2004, 01:05 PM

Thank you

,
I was just worried because it happened so soon after surgery and with the infection.Hopefully I will be able to loose the crutches tonight after my Dr. appt. Then I can put some weight on my leg and it won't get any worse.

Sue

StephanieVD · 06-25-2004, 01:16 PM

I also lost ROM really fast. I had gained a fair amount of muscle before I went into the hospital for my infection (5 days) and my leg was almost half as small when I left. You weren't even up and about for 6 days, so I would think its normal for you too. Good luck w/the dr's appt!!

susieblueyes · 06-27-2004, 05:58 PM

Hi,

Well, I'm still on the crutches until at least Tues. when I go back to the Dr. At that time I will ask also about the surgery that I'm suppose to have on my right foot. I don't know how long I will have to wait now for that.I really need to get all these surgeries done before I go back to work.This foot stuff is driving me crazy LOL.

Sue