Leg Length Discrepancy after Total Hip Arthroplasty

고관절 전치환술 후 하지 부동

  • Park, Won-Ro (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Moon, Kyu-Pill (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Suh, Kuen-Tak (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine)
  • 박원로 (부산대학교 의학전문대학원 정형외과학교실) ;
  • 문규필 (부산대학교 의학전문대학원 정형외과학교실) ;
  • 서근택 (부산대학교 의학전문대학원 정형외과학교실)
  • Published : 2010.03.31

Abstract

Restoration of the hip biomechanics, including the femoral offset and leg length, are the desired goals when performing total hip arthroplasty. A leg length discrepancy following total hip arthroplasty is a significant source of back pain and sciatica, gait disorders, general dissatisfaction and dislocation. Significant lengthening of the leg can be a risk factor for nerve injury and it is a relatively common cause of litigation. There is a fundamental interrelationship between leg length and stability when performing hip arthroplasty. There are a multitude of situations in which achieving both stability and perfectly equal leg lengths is simply not possible. Stability is the primary objective, and the surgeon may need to sacrifice leg length equality on the altar of stability. Although a leg length discrepancy cannot be eliminated after hip arthroplasty, it can be minimized through a series of steps, including a physical examination, radiographic evaluation, preoperative templating and intraoperative confirmation of the preoperative plan.

고관절 전치환술을 시행함에 있어서 femoral offset과 하지 길이 등 고관절의 생역학적인 기능을 회복시키는 것은 중요한 문제이다. 고관절 전치환술 후의 하지 부동은 요통 좌골신경통, 보행 장애 환자의 불만족 탈구 등을 초래할 수 있는 주요한 요인이다. 심한 하지 길이 연장은 신경손상을 초래할 수 있고, 고관절 전치환술 후 법적 소송의 흔한 원인이 되고 있다. 고관절 전치환술에서 하지 길이와 고관절의 안정성 사이에는 밀접한 관련이 있으며 정확한 하지 길이의 회복은 불가능할 수도 있다. 고관절의 전치환술을 시행함에 있어서 고관절의 안정성을 증가시키는 것이 더 중요하므로 안정적인 고관절의 재건을 위해서 하지 길이의 회복을 포기해야 할 수도 있다. 고관절 전치환술 후의 하지 부동을 완전히 예방하기는 어렵지만, 이학적 검사, 방사선학적 평가, 술전 templating, 술 중 확인 등의 여러 단계를 통하여 최소화시킬 수 있다.

Keywords

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