[Lower limb discrepancy after total knee arthroplasty. Is it really an issue?].

Introduction: Lower limb discrepancy after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is common. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence of lower limb discrepancy after TKA.

Materials And Methods: this is an observational analytical retrospective cohort study. We have included all the patients who underwent unilateral TKA with the same type of implant. The limb length was measured with a panoramic lower limb x-ray. The cut-off point to consider the discrepancy was > 10 mm. The type of deformity and the functional outcomes were evaluated.

Results: In a total of 60 patients, 18 (30%) showed a lower limb discrepancy. Out of the patients who presented discrepancy, the most frequent deformity was valgus deformity with a 55,6% followed by varus deformity with 38.89% and 5.56% with neutral axis. The functional outcomes according to the KSS score and the postoperative knee KSS score demonstrated no difference in long term follow up between both groups.

Conclusions: the incidence of lower limb discrepancy after TKA was 30%. None of the patients required surgery as a consequence of the discrepancy. The functional outcomes and pain in a long term follow up did not demonstrate differences between both groups.