Leg length inequality in total hip arthroplasty

Postoperative leg length inequality after total hip arthroplasty frequently leads to medical liability issues because no standard exists regarding the acceptable disparity. Modular stems allow control of offset, independent sizing of the distal femoral anatomy, as well as proximal medullary sizing. The authors compared the restoration of leg length in two cohort protocols. In the 2001 cohort, tapered stems were exclusively used, giving priority to fit and fill of the medullary canal. In the 2004 cohort, porous-tapered stems, or an S-ROM modular stem (DePuy Orthopaedics Inc., Warsaw, Ind) when needed, were used based on preoperative templating to restore the center of femoral head rotation. Prior to and after surgery, length from center measurements were taken (center of rotation of the femoral head to the top of the lesser trochanter) and the vertical vector to compare the difference in actual leg length. In the 2001 cohort, the mean increase of length from center was 9 mm (7 mm leg length). In the 2004 cohort, 25% of the hips were inappropriate for tapered stems. S-ROMs were used because a tapered stem would lengthen the leg. In the standard offset tapered stem, the mean increase of length from center was 6 mm (4 mm leg length). In the high offset tapered stem, the mean increase of length from center was 7 mm (5 mm leg length). In the S-ROM stem with varying offsets, the mean increase of length from center was 6 mm (4 mm leg length). Only the S-ROM consistently avoids overlengthening in the majority of patients.