Discrepancy in the length of the tibiae in unilateral congenital dislocation of the hip.

We measured discrepancy in the length of the tibiae in cases of unilateral congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) in 10 patients. The mean shortening of the tibia on the affected side was 1 cm and was not related to the severity of the dislocation. Patients who are about to undergo total hip arthroplasty for CDH should be warned that the operation is unlikely to restore normal leg length.