Evaluation of neck–shaft angle of dry femora in the gangetic region of West Bengal

Abstract

Introduction: Femur being the strongest and longest bone of the skeleton plays a crucial role in maintaining the usual anatomy of the hip joint. The neck–shaft angle (NSA) contributes greatly to the daily activity of the hip joint and therefore is of considerable importance in planning a proper surgery. Knowledge of the usual range of NSA is, therefore, imperative in the proper treatment of patients who present with disease of the hip related to the NSA. The objective of the present study was to estimate the minimum, maximum, mean, median, and range of NSA and to determine the difference(s) between the right and left sides of dry adult femora in the Gangetic region of West Bengal. Methodology: The present study was conducted on 281 dry adult femora (144 on the left and 137 on the right sides). The femora were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Measurements of NSA were based on the standard method. Results: The mean NSA of the total sample size was 124.12° ± 6.231°. The means for the left and right NSAs were 123.33° ± 6.47° and 124.91° ± 5.885°, respectively. The mean difference between the right and left femora was statistically significant. There was also a high degree of positive correlation between the NSAs of the left and right sides. Conclusion: This study establishes baseline data for the NSA of the Gangetic region of West Bengal, India. This will be helpful for orthopedic surgeons and implant makers to properly design and treat patients with problems of the NSA.

Keywords

• coxa valga
• coxa vara
• femur
• neck