Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether leg length discrepancy after developmental dysplasia of the hip affects lumbar degenerative changes or not.
Method: The subjects were eight women who had leg length discrepancy more than 3cm due to developmental dysplasia of the hip or supportive arthritis of the hip in their childhood, ranging in age from 43 to 78 years. We investigated sagittal and coronal alignment and degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine on plane X-ray film, and according to the JOA score except I-B and I-C and contracture of the hip.
Results: X-ray film of the lumbar vertebrae showed mild degenerative deformity and scoliosis in all patients. The size of osteophytes was larger and the number was more on the concave side than convex side. Five subjects had extension contracture of the hip.
The mean JOA score was 18.4 (ranging from 16 to 22).
There was no significant difference in the I-A score between the patients and control group.
Conclusion: Leg length discrepancy more than 3 cm after developmental dysplasia of the hip was found to have no significant effects on lumbar degenerative changes and low back pain.
