A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ANALYSIS OF LIMB LENGTH DISCREPANCY FOLLOWING TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY

Abstract

Objective: The present study was designed and implemented to assess the incidence and occurrence of LLD in post-hip arthroplasty and also to evaluate the causes of limb length discrepancy both intra- and post-operative period to manage total hip arthroplasty effectively.

Methods: It is a prospective study involving 52 patients underwent for THA and conducted in the Department of Orthopedics, Tertiary Care Hospital, Visakhapatnam, India from the period of January 2013 to December 2019. The study used Southern approach or “Moore” approach. All the patients are assessed for limb length discrepancy immediately after the surgery and followed at 6 weeks, 3 months, and after 6 years.

Results: Three patients had significant limb length discrepancy among the 52 patients (5.77%) while the remaining had no significant discrepancies in all X-rays which assess the radiological discrepancies in length. The study yields a satisfactory result as very few patients reported LLD during follow-up period and outcomes such as pain alleviation, walking capacity, limping, and patient satisfaction were insignificantly influenced by leg lengthening (p≤0.05).

Conclusion: A combination of pre-operative templating, intra-operative marking and usage of intra-operative image intensifier and an understanding of anatomy, biomechanics of hip, and implant design would reduce the error of limb length discrepancy.