Hip Arthroplasty in Supra-trochanteric Limb Length Discrepancy Patients.

BACKGROUND

Limb length discrepancy (LLD) with hip arthritis can lead to disability including impaired gait, low back pain, pelvic obliquity, and the need to use shoe lifts for correction. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains the most often performed procedure for patients with hip osteoarthritis. Elimination of LLD is an important goal of any THA procedure as it affects the functional outcome.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Prospective clinical case series. Over 4 years we enrolled 23 cases in our study. All patients had hip arthritis with clinical true LLD of 2 cm or more. Primary total hip arthroplasty and additional soft tissue releases were performed. LLD, range of motion (ROM), pelvic obliquity and Harris hip score (HHS) were compared preoperatively and postoperatively with follow-up for at least one year.

RESULTS

The mean Harris hip score improved from 41 (preoperatively) to 88.4 (one year postoperatively). Mean preoperative LLD was -3.1 0.9 cm, while mean postoperative LLD was -0.10.8 cm. Before the operation, 11 patients had pelvic obliquity compared to only one after the operation. No postoperative nerve palsy was reported.

CONCLUSION

Patients with hip arthritis and associated supratrochanteric LLD can be successfully treated with primary THA and additional soft tissue releases.