Femoral shortening by a step-cut osteotomy for leg-length discrepancy in adults

The problem of leg-length discrepancy in the adult differs from that in children. The technique of shortening the femur by the step-cut osteotomy and Küntscher rod fixation to correct leg-length discrepancy in the adult was employed in 14 consecutive patients. There were seven male and seven female patients, ranging in age from 15 to 36 years (average, 22.7 years). The leg-length discrepancy ranged from 2.7 to 11.0 cm (average, 5.6 cm), and the shortening of the longer leg (and thus of the patient) ranged from 2.7 to 7.5 cm (average, 5.0 cm). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. All fractures were united clinically and radiologically three to four months after surgery (average, 3.6 months). The follow-up period ranged from two to 18 years (average, 8.9 years). The final leg-length discrepancy was 0 in six patients and ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 cm (average, 1.3 cm) under correction in seven. One patient was overcorrected by 0.5 cm. All patients were satisfied both cosmetically and functionally with the operation.