The Influence of Leg Length Discrepancy after Total Hip Arthroplasty on Function and Quality of Life: A Prospective Cohort Study.
We investigated whether patients with lengthening (> 9 mm), restoration (between 9 mm lengthening and 5 mm shortening) or shortening (> 5 mm) of the operated leg after total hip arthroplasty (THA) had different function (WOMAC score), quality of life (EQ-5D), residual hip pain, use of shoe lift and walking aid and leg length discrepancy (LLD) awareness, 12-15 months postoperatively. All patients had a significant postoperative improvement in WOMAC and EQ-5D regardless the LLD. However, the lengthening group showed less improvement in WOMAC, more use of shoe lift, residual hip pain and LLD awareness compared with the other two groups. No differences in EQ-5D were found. In spite of the improvement in function and quality of life, lengthening had adverse effects and should therefore be avoided.
Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences (Orthopaedics), Sundsvall and Norrland University Hospitals, Umeå University, Sweden.
Sarwar S
SS
Mahmood
Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences (Orthopaedics), Sundsvall and Norrland University Hospitals, Umeå University, Sweden.
Sebastian S
SS
Mukka
Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences (Orthopaedics), Sundsvall and Norrland University Hospitals, Umeå University, Sweden.
Sead
S
Crnalic
Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences (Orthopaedics), Sundsvall and Norrland University Hospitals, Umeå University, Sweden.
Arkan S
AS
Sayed-Noor
D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006615:Hip / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery; D007870:Leg Length Inequality / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life
WOMAC; complication; leg length discrepancy; quality of life; total hip arthroplasty