1. Reliability of a simple fluoroscopic image to assess leg length discrepancy during direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty.
- Author
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Caus S, Reist H, Bernard C, Blankstein M, and Nelms NJ
- Abstract
Background: Direct anterior approach (DAA) total hip arthroplasty (THA) in a supine position provides a unique opportunity to assess leg length discrepancy (LLD) intra-operatively with fluoroscopy. Reported fluoroscopic techniques are useful but are generally complicated or costly. Despite the use of multiple techniques for leg length assessment, LLD continues to be a major post-operative source of patient dissatisfaction further emphasizing the importance of near-anatomic restoration. The utility of an alternative direct measurement of LLD on an intra-operative fluoroscopic pelvic image during DAA THA has not been reported., Aim: To determine the reliability of a novel simple intra-operative measurement of LLD using a parallel line technique on a single fluoroscopic digital image of the pelvis., Methods: One hundred and seventy-one patients who underwent DAA THA were included for analysis. Intra-operative fluoroscopic and post-operative anterior-posterior radiographs were imported to TraumaCad and calibrated for LLD measurement. LLD was measured on each image using the right-left hip differences in lesser trochanter to pelvic reference line distances. Pelvic reference points included the teardrops and ischia. Fluoroscopic LLD was compared to the gold-standard measurement of LLD measured on a post-operative radiograph., Results: Mean absolute difference in teardrop referenced LLD between fluoroscopic and post-operative radiographs was 2.17 mm and based on the ischia mean absolute difference was 2.63 mm. Linear regression of fluoroscopic and post-operative radiograph LLD based on teardrop and ischia LLD found r
2 values of 0.57 and 0.84, respectively. Mean absolute difference between fluoroscopic and post-operative x-ray LLD was within 5 mm in 95% of cases regardless of pelvic reference., Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a single fluoroscopic view obtained during DAA THA for leg length assessment is clinically useful., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: We have no financial relationships to disclose., (©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)- Published
- 2021
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