Abstract
Discrepancy of leg length is often considered to be a problem after total hip replacement and can adversely affect an otherwise excellent outcome. Furthermore, it has been associated with patient dissatisfaction and remains one of the most common reasons for litigation against the orthopedic community. As a consequence of the need to equalize leg length, several authors have sought to validate methods of minimizing limb length discrepancy based on preoperative planning with preoperative radiological templates or intraoperative methods of measurement. In this article, we present a review of the limb length discrepancy in total hip arthroplasty, its implications and several techniques to avoid it. We recommend that a combination of the above mentioned methods will give the best chance for the surgeon to minimise the risk of leg length discrepancy following total hip replacement.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance
Ranawat CS, Rao RR, Rodriguez JA, Bhende HS. Correction of limb length inequality during total hip arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2001;6:715–20.
Sayed-Noor AS, Hugo A, Sjoden GO, Wetenberg P. Leg length discrepancy in total hip arthroplasty: comparison of 2 methods of measurement. Int Orthop. 2009;33:189–93.
Clark CR, Huddleston HD, Schoch EP, Thomas BJ. Leg-length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2006;14:38–45.
Parvizi J, Sharkey PF, Bissett BA, Rothman RH, Hozack WJ. Surgical treatment of limb length discrepancy following total hip arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85:2310–7.
Hofmann AA, Skrzynski MC. Leg length inequality and nerve palsy in total hip arthroplasty: a lawyer awaits! Orthopaedics. 2000;23:943–4.
Ranawat CS, Rodriguez JA. Functional leg-length inequality following total hip arthroplasty. J Arthroplast. 1997;12:359–64.
Sathappan SS, Ginat D, Patel V, Walsh M, Jaffe WL, Di Cesare PE. Effect of anaesthesia type on limb length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty. J Arthroplast. 2008;23:203–9.
Turula KB, Frieberg O, Lindholm S, Tallroth K, Vankka E. Leg length inequality after total hip arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1986;202:163–8.
Rand JA, Ilstrup DM. Comparison of Charnley and T-28 total hip arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1983;180:201.
Frieberg O. Clinical symptoms and biomechanics of lumbar spine and hip joint in leg length inequality. Spine. 1983;8:643–51.
Mihalko WM, Philips MJ, Krackow KA. Acute sciatic and femoral neuritis following total hip arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2001;83:589–92.
Rosler J, Perka C. The effect of anatomical relationships on kinetic parameters after total hip replacement. Int Orthop. 2000;24:23–7.
Ranawat CS. The pants too short, the leg too long! Orthopaedics. 1999;22:845–6.
Woo RYG, Morrey BF. Dislocations after total hip arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1982;64:1295–306.
Amstuz SM, Jinnah RH, Mail L. Revision of aseptic loose total hip arthroplasties. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1982;170:21–33.
Austin MS, Hozack WJ, Sharkey PF, Rothman RH. Stability and leg length equality in total hip arthroplasty. J Arthroplast. 2003;18:88–90.
Love BRT, Wright K. Leg length discrepancy after total hip replacement. Proceedings of Australian Orthopaedic association. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1983;65:103. Abstract.
Williamson JA, Reckling FW. Limb length discrepancy and related problems following total hip replacement. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1978;202:135–8.
Djerf K, Walshtrom O. Total hip replacement comparison between the Mckee-Farrar and Charnley prosthesis in a 5-year follow-up study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 1986;105:158–62.
Rubash HE, Parvataneni HK. The pants too short, the leg too long: leg length inequality after total hip arthroplasty. Orthopaedics. 2007;30:764–5.
White TO, Dugall TW. Arthroplasty of the hip. Leg length is not important. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2002;84:338–48.
Edeen J, Sharkey PF, Alexander AH. Clinical significance of leg-length inequality after total hip arthroplasty. Am J Orthop. 1995;24:347–51.
Jasty M, Webster W, Harris W. Management of limb length inequality during total hip replacement. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1996;333:165–71.
Maloney WJ, Keeney JA. Leg length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty. J Arthroplast. 2004;19:108–10.
Khanduja V, Tek V, Scott G. The effect of neck- retaining femoral implant on leg-length inequality following total hip arthroplasty: a radiological study. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2006;88:712–5.
Kunkle HM, Carpenter EB. A simple technique for X-ray measurement of limb length discrepancies. J Bone Joint Surg. 1954;36:152–4.
Woolson ST, James MH, Sawyer A. Results of leg length equalization for patients undergoing primary total hip replacement. J Arthroplast. 1999;14:159–64.
Knight JL, Atwater RD. Preoperative planning for total hip arthroplasty: quantitating it’s utility and precision. J Arthroplast. 1992;7:403–9.
Charnley J. Low friction arthroplasty of the hip: theory and practice. New York: Springer; 1979.
Della Valle CJ, Cesare PE. Complications of total hip arthroplasty. Bull N Y Univ Hosp Joint Dis. 2002;16:134–42.
McGee HMJ, Scott JHS. A simple method of obtaining equal leg length in total hip arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1985;194:269–70.
Woolson ST, Harris WH. A method of intraoperative limb length measurement in total hip arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1985;194:207–10.
Bal BS. A technique for comparison of leg length during total hip replacement. Am J Orthop. 1996;25:61–2.
Huddleston HD. An accurate method for measuring leg length and hip offset in hip arthroplasty. Orthopedics. 1997;20:331–2.
Naito M, Ogata K, Asayama I. Intraoperative limb length measurement in total hip arthroplasty. Int Orthop. 1999;23:31–3.
Bose WJ. Accurate limb length equalization during total hip arthroplasty. Orthopaedics. 2000;23:433–6.
Shiramizu K, Naito M, Shitama T, Nakmura Y, Shitama H. L-shaped calliper for limb length measurement during total hip arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2004;86:966–9.
Cuckler JM. Limb length and stability in total hip replacement. Orthopaedics. 2005;28:951–3.
Matsuda K, Shigeru N, Matsuhita T. A simple method to minimize limb length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty. Acta Orthop. 1985;77:375–9.
Gonzalez Della Valle A, Slullitel G, Piccaluga F, Salvati EA. The precision and usefulness of preoperative planning for cementing and hybrid primary total hip arthroplasty. J Arthroplast. 2005;20:51–8.
Hossain M, Sinha AK. A technique to avoid leg-length discrepancy in total hip arthroplasty. Ann R Coll Surg. 2007;89:314–5.
Takigama I, Mansho I, Yoshiki I, Matsumoto K, Yamaoto T, Shimizu K. Limb-length measurement in total hip arthroplasty using a callipers dual pin retractor. Bull N Y Univ Hosp Joint Dis. 2008;66:107–10.
Lakshmanan P, Ahmed SM, Hansford RG, Woodnutt DJ. Achieving the required medial offset and limb length in total hip arthroplasty. Acta Orthop Belg. 2008;74:49–53.
Murphy SB, Ecker TM. Evaluation of new length measurement algorithm in hip arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2007;463:85–9.
Desai A, Barkatali B, Dramis A, Board T. A simple intraoperative technique to avoid limb length discrepancy in total hip arthroplasty. Surgeon. 2010;8:119–21.
Sarin VK, Pratt WR, Bradley GW. Accurate femur repositioning is critical during intraoperative total hip arthroplasty length and offset assessment. J Arthroplast. 2005;20:887–91.
DiGioia AM, Jaramaz B, Blackwell, et al. The Otto Aufranc award image guided navigation system to measure intraoperatively acetabular implant alignment. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1998;355:8–22.
Edwards BN, Tulles HS, Noble PC. Contributory factors and etiology of sciatic nerve palsy in total hip arthroplasty. Clin Orthop. 1987;218:136–41.
Pritchett JW. Nerve injury and limb lengthening after hip replacement: treatment by shortening. Clin Orthop. 2004;418:168–71.
Sarangi PP, Bannister GC. Leg length discrepancy after total hip replacement. Hip Int. 1997;7:121–4.
Konyves A, Bannister GC. The importance of leg length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2005;87:155–7.
Wylde V, Whitehouse SL, Taylor AH, Pattison GT, Bannister GC, Blom AW. Prevalence and functional impact of patient-received leg length discrepancy after hip replacement. Int Orthop. 2009;33:903–9.
Mizuta I, Fujiwara H, Inoue H. A radiographic study of hip joint alignment after prosthetic hip arthroplasty. Acta Med Okayama. 2002;56:159–66.
Papadopoulos AX, Tsota I, Megas P. Methods for estimating leg length discrepancy: emphasis to the planning and performance of total hip arthroplasty. Acta Orthop Traumatol Hellenica. 2002;5:321–8.
• Desai AS, Connors L, Board TN. Functional and radiological evaluation of simple intraoperative technique to avoid limb length discrepancy in total hip arthroplasty. Hip Int. 2011;22:192–8. Study comparing an intraoperative technique to overcome LLD in THA when comparison with no technique used, showing significant decrease in LLD and better functional outcome when an intraoperative technique used.
Compliance with Ethics Guidelines
Conflict of Interest
Aravind S. Desai, Asterios Dramis, and Tim N. Board declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent
This article does not contain any studies on animal subjects performed by any of the authors.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Desai, A.S., Dramis, A. & Board, T.N. Leg length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty: a review of literature. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 6, 336–341 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-013-9180-0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-013-9180-0