Leg Length Discrepancy of Hemicoxarthrosis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the optimal extension height for leg length discrepancy of a patient with hemicoxarthrosis. In 4 patients with hemicoxarthrosis who had more than 3-cm leg length discrepancy (2 had received the operation, and 2 had not), the leg length discrepancy at SMD, the extension height which centered the center of the gravity in standing (optimal extension height in standing), and the extension height at which the subject considered the optimal during walking (subjective optimal extension height) were measured. The optimal extension height in standing was smaller than the leg length discrepancy at SMD in all subjects. In all subjects, except one, subjective optimal extension height was the middle between the leg length discrepancy at SMD and the optimal extension length in standing. The leg length discrepancies were, in average, 1.5 cm and 0.63 cm in the optimal extension length in standing and in subjective optimal extension length, respectively. The results indicate that the length discrepancy of smaller than 2 cm may exert no effect on standing and walking of patients with hemicoxarthrosis.