The pants too short, the leg too long: leg length inequality after THA

Abstract

It is critical to develop and use a consistent, systematic and reproducible approach to, perioperatively, evaluate leg length discrepancy in patients undergoing THA. Careful preoperative planning is critical but does not preclude the need for intraoperative assessment once trial components and final components are implanted. Newer techniques such as digital templating and image-guided surgery may provide more accurate techniques, although this has not been proven. Most importantly, careful preoperative planning, intraoperative measurement, and attention to detail will avoid major leg length discrepancies in the majority of patients.