Functional and radiological evaluation of a simple intra operative technique to avoid limb length discrepancy in total hip arthroplasty

We aimed to assess the radiological and functional outcome of total hip arthroplasty performed using a simple technique for intra-operative leg length assessment. The comparative group was made up of patients receiving total hip arthroplasty prior to introduction of the technique. Fifty patients were studied in each group. The pre- and 3 month post-operative leg length difference (LLD) was measured radiologically along with pre- and 12 months post-operative Oxford hip scores (OHS) and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scores. There were no statistically significant differences in pre-operative parameters between the two groups. The mean LLD in the new technique group was 0.46mm which was significantly less than in the control group (p< 0.001). Post operative OHS values were worse when shortening or lengthening was >5mm in both groups. UCLA activity scores were significantly better in the new technique group than in the control group (p< 0.001). The overall radiological and functional outcome of the patients was better in the new technique group. Functional outcome is related to small differences in leg length and our simple new technique can be used to control leg length intraoperatively.