Concern about unequal legs is understandable when planning a hip replacement. A difference may already exist before surgery. The direct anterior approach (DAA) can facilitate intraoperative comparison and measurement, but cannot guarantee perfectly equal leg lengths.

Care includes soft-tissue preservation when appropriate and support through recovery. Bring previous imaging and describe when the difference began and which activities are uncomfortable.

General education does not replace individual assessment. Diagrams illustrate concepts, not a diagnosis or guaranteed result.

Not every painful joint needs an operation, and you do not need to wait until walking is impossible to seek care. The decision combines the pain source, impact on daily life, previous treatment and disease stage, alongside your goals and the expected benefits and risks.

Good timing is a shared decision based on the condition, daily needs and safety. From tissue-preserving options to follow-up and rehabilitation, the goal is a supported return to everyday life.

General education does not replace individual assessment. Treatment is tailored to your condition and goals; diagrams illustrate concepts.

First decide how much of the knee needs resurfacing; then discuss the implant design. Arthritis distribution, ligament function, bone quality and everyday goals are more useful than a brand, price or “high-flexion” label alone.

The goal is pain relief and useful everyday function. Implant selection works together with planning, soft-tissue balance and rehabilitation—not a product name alone.

General education does not replace individual assessment. Treatment is tailored to your condition and goals; diagrams illustrate concepts.

Separate the bearing surface, fixation method and your individual needs. A higher price or newer name does not automatically mean a better match. Bone quality, anatomy, activity and stability risks all belong in the discussion.

DAA describes the surgical approach; implant selection describes the reconstruction. They are different decisions. Bring your activity goals, allergy history and budget to the consultation.

General education does not replace individual assessment. Treatment is tailored to your condition and goals; diagrams illustrate concepts.

With inner-knee arthritis and a bowlegged alignment, load may remain concentrated on the worn compartment. High tibial osteotomy (HTO) changes leg alignment to transfer load toward a healthier area, offering a knee-preserving option for selected patients.

Selection starts with the pattern of arthritis

Assessment often focuses on active patients with predominantly medial arthritis and a correctable varus alignment. The other compartments, ligament stability, motion and bone quality also matter. Extensive arthritis across several compartments may make another treatment more appropriate.

AAOS｜Osteotomy of the Knee臺大醫院｜淺談膝蓋退化性關節炎

ILLUSTRATION 01

Redistributing joint load

The aim is less pain and better function with your native knee. Dr. Chen emphasizes tissue preservation and ongoing support, adapting rehabilitation to your follow-up findings.

General education does not replace individual assessment. Treatment is tailored to your condition and goals; diagrams illustrate concepts.

Direct anterior approach (DAA) hip replacement reaches the joint from the front, replacing damaged surfaces to relieve pain and support everyday movement. It uses a plane between muscles with an emphasis on soft-tissue preservation. New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) describes anterior replacement as widely adopted in the United States; suitability remains an individual decision.

Muscle planes and capsule repair

DAA uses an interval between muscles rather than routinely detaching major muscles to gain access. Dr. Chen also emphasizes preserving capsule tissue: it is opened for access and repaired when the tissue and operative circumstances allow. Tissue preservation does not mean that no tissue is opened or that surgery is risk-free.

臺大醫院骨科部｜髖關節常見問題

ILLUSTRATION 01

From muscle interval to joint

Care extends from tissue preservation to wound, strength and gait follow-up. Plan work, sport and travel with your team according to your individual progress.

General education does not replace individual assessment. Treatment is tailored to your condition and goals; diagrams illustrate concepts.