A review of symptomatic leg length inequality following total hip arthroplasty. 2013

Anthony B McWilliams, and Andrew J Grainger, and Philip J O'Connor, and Anthony C Redmond, and Todd D Stewart, and Martin H Stone
NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Chapel Allerton Hospital and University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. abmcwill@hotmail.com

Leg length inequality (LLI) following total hip replacement is a complication which features increasingly in the recent literature. The definition of LLI is complicated by lack of consensus regarding radiological measurement, clinical measurement and the incomplete relationship between LLI and associated symptoms. This paper reviews 79 reports relating to LLI post hip replacement, detailing definitions and classification and highlighting patient populations prone to symptomatic LLI. While there is no universal definition of LLI, there is a broad consensus that less than 10 mm of difference on AP view plain radiographs is clinically acceptable. There are few techniques described that consistently produce a postoperative LLI of less than this magnitude. Where postoperative LLI exists, lengthening appears to cause more problems than shortening. In cases of mild LLI, non-surgical management produces adequate outcomes in the majority of cases, with functional LLI cases doing better than those with true LLI. Operative correction is effective in half of cases, even where nerve palsy is present, and remains an important option of last resort. Poor outcomes in patients with LLI may be minimised if individuals at risk are identified and counselled appropriately.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007870 Leg Length Inequality A condition in which one of a pair of legs fails to grow as long as the other, which could result from injury or surgery. Inequalities, Leg Length,Inequality, Leg Length,Leg Length Inequalities,Length Inequalities, Leg,Length Inequality, Leg
D010808 Physical Examination Systematic and thorough inspection of the patient for physical signs of disease or abnormality. Physical Exam,Examination, Physical,Physical Examinations and Diagnoses,Exam, Physical,Examinations, Physical,Exams, Physical,Physical Examinations,Physical Exams
D011300 Preoperative Care Care given during the period prior to undergoing surgery when psychological and physical preparations are made according to the special needs of the individual patient. This period spans the time between admission to the hospital to the time the surgery begins. (From Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed) Care, Preoperative,Preoperative Procedure,Preoperative Procedures,Procedure, Preoperative,Procedures, Preoperative
D011859 Radiography Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-RAYS or GAMMA RAYS, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film). Radiology, Diagnostic X-Ray,Roentgenography,X-Ray, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X-Ray,Diagnostic X-Ray Radiology,X-Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X Ray,Diagnostic X Ray Radiology,Diagnostic X-Rays,Radiology, Diagnostic X Ray,X Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,X Ray, Diagnostic,X-Rays, Diagnostic
D006621 Hip Joint The joint that is formed by the articulation of the head of FEMUR and the ACETABULUM of the PELVIS. Acetabulofemoral Joint,Acetabulofemoral Joints,Hip Joints,Joint, Acetabulofemoral,Joint, Hip,Joints, Acetabulofemoral,Joints, Hip
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D019644 Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip Replacement of the hip joint. Hip Prosthesis Implantation,Hip Replacement, Total,Total Hip Arthroplasty,Arthroplasties, Hip Replacement,Arthroplasties, Replacement, Hip,Arthroplasty, Hip Replacement,Hip Replacement Arthroplasties,Hip Replacement Arthroplasty,Replacement Arthroplasties, Hip,Replacement Arthroplasty, Hip,Replacement, Total Hip,Total Hip Replacement,Arthroplasty, Total Hip,Hip Arthroplasty, Total,Hip Prosthesis Implantations,Implantation, Hip Prosthesis,Prosthesis Implantation, Hip,Total Hip Arthroplasties,Total Hip Replacements

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