Leg-length equalization for total hip joint replacement patients

Objective To investigate the methods to maintain leg equalization for patients undergoing primary total hip joint replacement. Methods 40 patients,45 hips with various diseases were treated by total hip joint replacement from Jan 2000 to Sep 2001.Before operation, the perpendicular length from center of femoral head to the summit of great tuberosity and the tip of less tuberosity to the line of bilateral ischial tuberosity were measured; the length from anterior superior iliac spine to medial malleolus were measured at same time.Leg length was decided and corrected according to these lines. Results Before operation, shortening of limbs were presented in 39 hips, 1 to 4 cm, average 2.4 cm.After operation, discrepancy of both legs was 0～0.8 cm.Apparent limps were not observed in all patients. Conclusion This measurement is a useful method to maintain and recover leg length in total hip joint replacement.