Lower limb discrepancy after total knee arthroplasty. Is it really an issue?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31053/1853.0605.v79.n3.36812Keywords:
arthroplasty, replacement, knee, leg length inequality, genu valgumAbstract
Introduction: lower limb discrepancy after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is common. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence of lower limb discrepancy after TKA.
Materials and methods: this is an observational analytical retrospective cohort study. We have included all the patients who underwent unilateral TKA with the same type of implant. The limb length was measured with a panoramic lower limb x-ray. The cut off point to consider the discrepancy was > 10 mm. The type of deformity and the functional outcomes were evaluated.
Results: In a total of 60 patients, 18 (30%) showed a lower limb discrepancy. Out of the patients who presented discrepancy, the most frequent deformity was valgus deformity with a 55,6% followed by varus deformity with 38.89% and 5.56% with neutral axis. The functional outcomes according to the KSS score and the postoperative knee KSS score demonstrated no difference in long term follow up between both groups.
Conclusions: the incidence of lower limb discrepancy after TKA was 30%. None of the patients required surgery as a consequence of the discrepancy. The functional outcomes and pain in a long term follow up did not demonstrate differences between both groups.
Downloads
References
1. Lang JE, Scott RD, Lonner JH, Bono JV, Hunter DJ, Li L. Magnitude of limb lengthening after primary total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2012 Mar;27(3):341-6. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2011.06.008.
2. Chinnappa J, Chen DB, Harris IA, MacDessi SJ. Predictors and Functional Implications of Change in Leg Length After Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2017 Sep;32(9):2725-2729.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2017.04.007.
3. Liow RY, Walker K, Wajid MA, Bedi G, Lennox CM. The reliability of the American Knee Society Score. Acta Orthop Scand. 2000 Dec;71(6):603-8. doi: 10.1080/000164700317362244.
4. Langley GB, Sheppeard H. The visual analogue scale: its use in pain measurement. Rheumatol Int. 1985;5(4):145-8. doi: 10.1007/BF00541514.
5. Kim SH, Rhee SM, Lim JW, Lee HJ. The effect of leg length discrepancy on clinical outcome after TKA and identification of possible risk factors. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2016 Aug;24(8):2678-85. doi: 10.1007/s00167-015-3866-3.
6. Mufty S, Vandenneucker H, Bellemans J. The influence of leg length difference on clinical outcome after revision TKA. Knee. 2014 Mar;21(2):424-7. doi: 10.1016/j.knee.2012.09.007.
7. Vogt B, Gosheger G, Wirth T, Horn J, Rödl R. Leg Length Discrepancy- Treatment Indications and Strategies. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2020 Jun 12;117(24):405-411. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0405.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2022 Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The generation of derivative works is allowed as long as it is not done for commercial purposes. The original work may not be used for commercial purposes.
How to Cite
