Our aim was to highlight that there is a sub-group of patients with disabling symptoms after leg lengthening at primary hip replacement who benefit from revision surgery.

Most patients with an over lengthened limb after total hip arthroplasty are either asymptomatic or find it an inconvenience which can often be treated with a shoe raise. A minority, however, find this severely debilitating, patients describing that the leg “feels long”, with pain felt around the hip, difficulty sitting and limited function. It is this sub-group of patients that we feel benefit from revision surgery to equalise leg lengths.

We report on 8 cases (6 female; 2 male) that underwent revision surgery for leg lengthening over a 7 year period . The mean leg length difference was 14.3mm (range 10-20mm). Five patients had revision of the stem only and the remaining 3 both cup and stem. Time to revision varied from 8 months to 3 years. We outline our method of radiological measurement of leg length after total hip arthroplasty, using the centre of hip rotation as the reference point. Individual cases are discussed with radiographs highlighting the typical clinical features and this radiological technique.

All patients reported an immediate improvement in their symptoms following revision surgery and have remained pleased with the outcome at their latest follow up.

Leg lengthening as a result of total hip arthroplasty is well recognised but its treatment remains controversial. There is a sub-group of patients who are particularly sensitive to over lengthening, often of short stature. We reiterate that this revision surgery is beneficial to the patient with a lengthened leg ONLY if they have significant symptoms and limitation of function. Our small series emphasises the need to recognise this group of patients who can achieve a successful outcome after revision surgery.

Introduction: We present our results of the first 413 Charnley arthroplasties performed by and under the supervision of the senior surgeon, using the posterior approach.

Methods: This is a prospective study of clinical and radiographic outcomes. Four hundred and thirteen hip replacements were performed in 380 patients (215 female and 165 male) between 1992 and 1996. The mean age at the time of primary surgery was 67 years (28 – 91 years).

Results: The primary aetiology in 297 of the hips was osteoarthritis. Eighty-two had rheumatoid arthritis.

Eleven patients (3%) had one or more episodes of dislocation.

There were 22 revisions. Three of the revisions were carried out for infection, and a further 2 for recurrent dislocation. Aseptic loosening was the cause of failure in the remaining 17.

Thirty three patients (36 hips, 9%) could not be traced at the time of the final follow-up. There was significant and maintained improvement in pain and function scores.

One hundred and thirty eight patients (146 hips) had died at the time of the final follow-up.

The best and worst case survivorship figures at 10 years were 93 +/− 2% and 83 +/− 2%, and those at 14 years were 88 +/− 4% and 78 +/− 4%, respectively, with revision for any reason as the end-point.

Discussion: Excellent results for the Charnley hip are possible using the posterior approach and surgeons of varying experience. The results presented compare favourably with the published data and confirm that the Charnley remains the gold-standard for longevity in hip arthroplasty. The newer and more costly implants not only need to reproduce these results but also match the cost effectiveness of this prosthesis.