Two-stage total hip arthroplasty following skeletal traction after extensive soft tissue release for severe limb-length discrepancy.

INTRODUCTION: To maximise limb-length discrepancy (LLD) resolution during total hip arthroplasty (THA) for untreated developmental hip dysplasia or septic hip sequelae, THA following limb lengthening was introduced using different methods. We aimed to evaluate 2-stage THA results following limb lengthening via skeletal traction after extensive soft tissue release. METHOD: In total, 24 hips with severe LLD in 10 men and 14 women (mean age, 49.6 ± 15.2 years) underwent 2-stage THA and were followed thereafter (mean 6.3 ± 3.7 years). The entire abductor muscle origin was subperiosteally released from the ilium, and the soft tissue around the hip joint, including the psoas tendon, short external rotator, joint capsule, and adductor tendon, was extensively released. 2-stage THA was performed after 2-week skeletal traction using proximal tibial pins. During the final THA, 7 hips necessitated subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy (STO) for hip joint reduction. We evaluated the clinical and radiological results and especially focused on LLD and neurological complications. RESULTS: The Harris Hip Score improved from 57.1 ± 9.6 to 88.3 ± 6.3 points. No patients showed worse abductor power. LLD improved from 5.0 ± 2.0 to 1.4 ± 1.0 cm. No permanent neurological complications occurred except for 1 transient peroneal nerve palsy during traction, which resolved fully after cessation of traction. There were 2 hips with STO nonunion treated with osteosynthesis and stem revision. CONCLUSION: 2-stage THA following skeletal traction after extensive soft tissue release showed favourable results in terms of neurologic complication prevention and LLD resolution. However, a large proportion of patients still necessitated shortening osteotomy with a risk for nonunion at the osteotomy site. Though surgical procedures might be complicated and necessitate longer hospital stays, 2-stage THA with extensive soft tissue release might be an alternative treatment option for patients with severe LLD willing to resolve their limb length discrepancy.