title: Femoral shortening during hip arthroplasty through a modified lateral approach.
abstract: We describe a modification of the direct lateral approach to the hip that provides excellent femoral and acetabular exposure and an easy way to shorten the proximal femur and equalize leg length. The approach also is useful for lower extremity elongation while preserving muscle continuity and minimizing postoperative complications. The exact amount of shortening can be calculated and planned preoperatively and measured and corrected intraoperatively if necessary. It avoids the necessity for osteotomies of the trochanter and transverse cuts or detachment of abductor muscles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Salata 7, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Domagoj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Delimar
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bicanic
authors.forename: Kresimir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Korzinek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000379:methods* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography