leg length discrepancy

Leg Length Discrepancy

Issue

 

Most common reason for litigation against orthopaedic surgeons in THR

Usually from lengthening

 

Complications of LLD

 

1.  Nerve palsy

 

Sciatic nerve - tolerate average 4.4cm lengthening

 

Common peroneal nerve - tolerate average 2.7 cm lengthening

 

Lengthen by up to 15-20% of the resting nerve length

- but in reality is unknown and multifactorial

Management

Goals

 

1. Equal leg lengths

- goal is mild to moderate isolated discrepancy

 

2. Unequal leg lengths

- goal with paralysis / equinus foot

- aim 1-2 cm short for clearance

 

3. Level Pelvis

- should use blocks to estimate functional correction

 

4. Vertical LS Spine

- vertical spine more important than level pelvis

 

Background

A.  General Conditions

 

Hemi-hypertrophy or atrophy

 

Idiopathic

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome

Proteus syndrome

Beckwith-Weiderman syndrome

Russel-Silver syndrome (atrophy)

 

Skeletal dysplasia

 

Chondrodysplasia punctata

Ollier's / Maffuci's

Multiple hereditary exostoses

NF

Fibrous dysplasia