Preoperative leg-length inequality and hip osteoarthrosis: a radiographic study of 100 consecutive arthroplasty patients

Objective To assess the leg-length inequality in patients with hip osteoarthrosis (OA) and to evaluate a possible association between the length disparity and side of OA. Design and patients Weight-bearing radiographs of 100 consecutive patients undergoing arthroplasty for primary OA were examined and measured for inequality of leg length, pelvic tilt and severity of OA. Results The radiographic results showed that preoperatively OA occurred more frequently in the hip of the longer (84%) than the shorter (16%) leg. However, the development of OA did not show a linear relationship with the magnitude of leg-length inequality. Conclusion As hip OA occurred more frequently in the longer leg the authors speculate whether leg-length inequality might predispose to OA in the hip of the longer leg.