Limb Length Discrepancy Following Total Hip Joint Replacement Surgery Treated With Heel Lifts

Limb lengthening is not uncommon after a total hip replacement and may cause subjective problems for patients. A study of 150 total hip replacements reveals 144 limbs were lengthened. Due to patient complaints, 40 (27%) required a Heel Lift on the unoperated side to gain satisfactory gait pattern. ClinOrthoRelatRes78Jul-Aug;(134):135-8.

Make sure to ask your post-op patients about their gait and dispense proper heel lifts from Atlas Biomechanics after a total hip replacement surgery.

BIOMECHANICS OF THE SHORT LIMB:
1. Supination of the subtalar joint.
2. External rotation of the tibia.
3. External rotation of the knee.
4. Abnormal patella tracking.
5. Pelvic Tilt.
6. Shifting of the center of gravity to the short side.

BIOMECHANICS OF THE LONG LIMB:
1. Pronation of the subtalar joint.
2. Internal rotation of the tibia and the knee.
3. Abnormal patella tracking.
4. Vaulting over the hip joint.

GAIT EVALUATION OF THE UNEQUAL LIMB LENGTH:
1. Center of gravity shifted to the short side.
2. Unilateral early heel lift.
3. Pelvic Tilt.
4. Shoulder drop.
5. Unilateral subtalar pronation.
6. Unilateral shoe wear (lateral heel).
7. Abnormal knee rotation and patella tracking.

Atlas Biomechanics produces a full line of cork and Eva/rubber heel lifts.

Teri Green
Atlas Biomechanics