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Skeletal Radiology

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01-02-2012 | Scientific Article

Measurement of leg length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty. The reliability of a plain radiographic method compared to CT-scanogram

Authors: Martin Kjellberg, Bariq Al-Amiry, Erling Englund, Göran O. Sjödén, Arkan S. Sayed-Noor

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 2/2012

Abstract

Objective

To measure the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility of post total hip arthroplasty (THA) leg length discrepancy (LLD) measurement on radiographs as well as to evaluate its accuracy by comparing it with LLD measurement on computed tomographic scanogram (CT-scanogram).

Materials and methods

In this prospective study, postoperative LLD measurements in ten THA patients were made by four observers on anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis (inter-teardrop line to the tip of lesser trochanter) and compared to LLD measurements made on CT-scanogram scout views of the lower limb. Two observers repeated the LLD measurements on radiographs 8 weeks after the first measurements. The interobserver reliability of the LLD measurement on plain radiographs was evaluated by comparing the measurements of the four observers and the intraobserver reproducibility by comparing the two repeated measurements made by the two observers.

Results

We found excellent interobserver reliability (mean ICC 0.83) and intraobserver reproducibility (ICC 0.90 and 0.88) of the LLD measurements on plain radiographs. There was a moderate to excellent agreement, but with wide variation of measurements among the four observers, when plain radiographic measurement was compared with CT-scanogram (ICC 0.58, 0.60, 0.71, and 0.82).

Conclusion

Despite the excellent interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility of LLD measurement on radiographs, clinicians should be aware of its limited accuracy when compared to CT-scanogram.

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Title: Measurement of leg length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty. The reliability of a plain radiographic method compared to CT-scanogram
Authors: Martin Kjellberg
Bariq Al-Amiry
Erling Englund
Göran O. Sjödén
Arkan S. Sayed-Noor
Publication date: 01-02-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Skeletal Radiology / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-011-1166-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Measurement of leg length discrepancy after total hip arthroplasty. The reliability of a plain radiographic method compared to CT-scanogram

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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