Imageless Navigation Improves Intraoperative Monitoring of Leg Length Changes during Total Hip Arthroplasty for Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: Two Case Reports

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a rare condition characterized by avascular necrosis and malformation of the femoral head. For many patients, total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the only viable treatment option; however, there are challenges associated with THA in this population, primarily the equalization of leg lengths. Here, we present two cases of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease treated via total hip arthroplasty with the assistance of an imageless, computer-assisted navigation device. In each case, the device provided intraoperative data on leg length in real time, allowing for improved accuracy of component placement. Postoperative leg lengths were confirmed to be equalized in each case using radiographs. These cases are, to our knowledge, the first such cases using imageless navigation during THA and demonstrate the benefits of such assistive technologies in challenging cases such as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.