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Lim, Park, and Kim: Fixing Leg Length Discrepancies after Total Hip Arthroplasty
Review Article
The Journal of the Korean Hip Society

The Journal of the Korean Hip Society 2011; 23(4): 258-261.

Published online: 31 December 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5371/jkhs.2011.23.4.258

Fixing Leg Length Discrepancies after Total Hip Arthroplasty

Young Wook Lim, MD, Bum Yong Park, MD, Yong Sik Kim, MD

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint request to Yong Sik Kim, MD. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, 505 Banpo 4-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-701, Korea. TEL: +82-2-2258-2837, FAX: +82-2-535-9834, yongsik@korea.com

Received 13 October 2011       Revised 7 December 2011       Accepted 15 December 2011

Copyright © 2011 by Korean Hip Society

Abstract

Leg length discrepancies are a common cause of patient dissatisfaction after total hip arthroplasty (THA). The equalization of limb lengths and restoration of the anatomic geometry of the hip to restore normal gait and function are the primary goals during THA. Patients recognize a leg length discrepancy when one leg is shorter than the other by 6 mm or longer than the other by 10 mm after THA. Outside of this range, several problems would occur. Therefore, we should try to maintain leg length during THA via preoperative and intra-operative planning.

Keywords: Leg length discrepancy, Total hip arthroplasty, Complications

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
(A-C) Head center to lesser trochanter distance: (A) Anteroposteriorradiograph of a hip shows landmarks forradiographic measurementof HLD. (B) Afer femoral stem insertion, HLD was checked and compare with previously checked HLD. (C) The real head was inserted.
jkhs-23-258-g001

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