Leg Length Discrepancy in Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty
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Abstract
The use of cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) is on the increase. In order to achieve rotational and axial stability larger implants may be required than originally templated for. This could potentially result in a lar-ger leg length inequality. Our objective was to determine whether there is greater inequality in leg length post-operatively in cementless THA as compared to cemented implants. 136 consecutive patients undergoing elective THA between June 2007 and May 2008 were included. Post-operative digital radiographs were ex-amined to determine leg length. Twenty seven patients (20%) underwent a cemented procedure and 109 (80%) a cementless procedure. In the cemented group the mean leg length discrepancy was 7.3 mm (range 19 mm short to 21 mm long). In the cementless group the mean measured leg length discrepancy was 6.3 mm (range 18 mm short to 23 mm long). There was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.443). This study shows that with accurate pre-operative templating, both cemented and cementless proce-dures produce comparable and acceptable leg length discrepancies.
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