Perception of Leg Length Discrepancy after Total Hip Replacement and Its Impact on Quality of Life
Charoenchai Pakpianpairoj MD*
Affiliation : *Institute of Orthopaedics, Lerdsin General Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To assess the leg length discrepancy (LLD) in the patients who underwent primary total hip replacement both the
actual inequality (anatomical LLD) and the perceived feeling of inequality (perceived LLD). Moreover, the impact of the
perceived LLD on quality of life was evaluated.
Material and Method: From January 2011-January 2012, 151 hips from 151 consecutive patients were studied about the
post-operative LLD by measuring the post-operative radiographs at follow-up time. Questionnaires concerning the perception
of LLD and the Harris hip score (HSS) were completed. Assessing the postoperative quality of life with the EQ-5D patient self-
rating tool also was done.
Results : Seventy nine patients had anatomical LLD and 41 patients could perceive LLD. Age, gender, post-operative time at
follow-up and the HSS were not significantly different between both perceived LLD and non-perceived LLD patients. After 12
months post-operatively all non-anatomical LLD patients perceived no LLD. Only the EQ-5D of non-perceived LLD group
was significantly better.
Conclusion : Perception of LLD after total hip replacement is a significant factor that influences the patients’ quality of life.
However, this frustration could resolve or improve with time.
Keywords : Perception of leg length discrepancy, Quality of life, Total hip replacement
