title: Perception of leg length discrepancy after total hip replacement and its impact on quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the leg length discrepancy (LLD) in the patients who underwent primary total hip replacement both the actual inequality (anatomical LLD) and the perceived feeling of inequality (perceived LLD). Moreover the impact of the perceived LLD on quality of life was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2011-January 2012, 151 hips from 151 consecutive patients were studied about the post-operative LLD by measuring the post-operative radiographs at follow-up time. Questionnaires concerning the perception of LLD and the Harris hip score (HSS) were completed. Assessing the postoperative quality of life with the EQ-5D patient self-rating tool also was done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy nine patients had anatomical LLD and 41 patients could perceive LLD. Age, gender, post-operative time at follow-up and the HSS were not significantly different between both perceived LLD and non-perceived LLD patients. After 12 months post-operatively all non-anatomical LLD patients perceived no LLD. Only the EQ-5D of non-perceived LLD group was significantly better.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perception of LLD after total hip replacement is a significant factor that influences the patients quality of life. However, this frustration could resolve or improve with time.
authors: Institute of Orthopaedics, Lerdsin General Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. charoenchaipppr@hotmail.com
authors: Charoenchai
authors: C
authors: Pakpianpairoj
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007870:Leg Length Inequality / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept