What Causes Leg Length Discrepancy?
The downside of placing these larger implants is the lengthening of the limb.
Computer-guided surgery is the operating room equivalent to driving with the help of a GPS system.
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It shows your anatomy on a screen to help guide the positioning of the implants.
Interestingly, many people with severe degenerativearthritis of their hip jointdevelop a leg length discrepancy over time.
Your surgeon may correct this when a total hip replacement is performed.
Most people gradually adapt to having symmetrical legs again, and the sensation usually goes away.
Correcting Leg Length Discrepancy
Your surgeon can help you understand why your leg lengths are different.
In some cases, a leg length difference may have been anticipated, and in others, unexpected.
A leg length discrepancy can cause pain and muscle fatigue.
It can often be corrected simply by wearing a lift in the shoe of the shorter leg.
In more severe cases, surgery may be required to resize the implants and correct the discrepancy.
Hospital for Special Surgery.Anterior hip replacement: an overview.