title: Studies in osteoarthritis of the hip. IV. Biomechanics and clinical considerations.
abstract: Present knowledge of hip biomechanics supports the contention that the stresses imposed on the hip on the side of the longer leg are greater than normal; those on the short side are comparably reduced. Indirect measurements by various authors have demonstrated greater stress on the hip if the pelvis is adducted, a persistent and chronic condition of the hip joint on the side of a long leg. Furthermore the pressure on the acetabulum will be displaced laterally in these circumstances. The consistent pattern of degeneration in unilateral superolateral O A hip is what would be expected if the consequences of leg-length disparity were as described. Leg-length inequality may be a major contributing factor in the development of unilateral degenerative disease of the hip of this type.A clinical method of estimating leg-length disparity is described. Clinical findings in patients support the hypothesis that hip stress is increased on the side of a longer leg.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001835:Body Weight; D006615:Hip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D010388:Pelvis / Q000503:physiopathology; D011859:Radiography