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Recovery of function after closed femoral shortening

Physiotherapy Research Unit, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK.

A. H. R. W. Simpson, FRCS, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, New Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK.

Correspondence should be sent to Dr K. L. Barker.

This prospective, longitudinal study documents the muscle strength and baseline function of 18 patients undergoing closed femoral shortening for discrepancy in limb length. Patients were studied for two years following surgery. Function was measured by a self-reported questionnaire, timed tests of performance and measurements of muscle strength and power. After two years, the self-reported function and ability to complete timed functional tests had returned to or improved on the pre-operative values. Muscle strength remained slightly below the pre-operative value and was more marked in the quadriceps than the hamstrings. This study suggests that small decreases in muscle strength and power following closed femoral shortening do not adversely affect the patients’ ability to perform everyday activities.