Published in:
01-10-2020 | Hip-TEP | Original Article
Limb length discrepancy after total knee arthroplasty may contribute to suboptimal functional results
Published in: European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology | Issue 7/2020
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Purpose
Limb length discrepancy (LLD) has been related to inferior outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA), but few studies have dealt with the LLD in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aims of the study were to examine the incidence of LLD after TKA and how it can influence in the outcomes scores.
Methods
We analysed preoperative, postoperative and changes in LLD in 460 patients who underwent a unilateral primary TKA. The measurements were done on digital full leg radiographs preoperatively and 6 months after surgery. The hip–knee–ankle (HKA) angle was also measured on these radiographs. Patients were evaluated with the Knee Society Score (KSS) preoperatively and 12 months after surgery.
Results
The average LLD was 1.1 mm in the preoperative period and changed to −0.8 mm in the postoperative (the 1.9 mm lengthening of the operated limb was statistically significant (p < 0.001)). LLD increase was correlated with preoperative HKA angle and with HKA angle changes. Only 8.3% of the patients had significant postoperative LLD (≥ 10 mm), but they had a significant worse function outcome in the KSS one year after surgery than patients with negligible postoperative LLD (< 10 mm) (76.7 vs 82.3; p = 0.02).
Conclusions
Unlike THA surgery, significant LLD is not frequent after TKA surgery, but the functional results of the surgery can be suboptimal when it is present.