Clinical Analysis And Treatment For Leg-length Inequality In Total Hip Arthroplasty

Objective:To observe the resons and treatment for let-length inequality in total hip arthroplastyMethods:90 patients were chosen to undergo unilateral primary THA from Jan 2001 to Dec.2004, including 48 males and 42 females. The mean age of patients was 60.5 years ranging from 21 to 85 years.Evaluation of the limb length discrepancy through clinical measurements and radiographic templates was done preoperatively to predetermine optimal implantation position of the components and to decide the level of the femur neck cut and length of the femur quadrature. The components template was tried repeatedly and the looseness of soft tissue was examined during the operation. All these could maintain equal limb length effectively.Results:Of the 29 patients with equal limb length preoperatively, only 1 (3.4%) had been lengthened more than 1 cm postoperatively. Of the 61 patients with shortened limb from 1.5～5.5 cm preoperatively, only 4 had limb length discrepancy more than 1.5 cm after surgery.Conclusion:The importance of limb length discrepancy during THA must not be neglected. The preoperative measurements and intraoperative leg-length measurement are helpful in minimizing limb length discrepancy during THA and have satisfactory results.