Evaluation of femoral neck-shaft angle in subHimalayan population of North West India using digital radiography and dry bone measurements

Abstract

Background: Femoral neck-shaft angle is an important parameter of proximal femoral geometry. Not only it has an anthropological value but also it gives an insight into possible underlying hip pathology. The present study was conducted with an aim to find femoral neck-shaft angle values in subHimalayan population of Northwest India, and to measure the neck-shaft angle of proximal femur in both gender types using two different methods. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out to determine the average femoral neck-shaft angle in subHimalayan population of Northwest India. Neck-shaft angle in 89 femora was measured by digital radiography using PACS software while 93 dry bones were analyzed by direct measurements. The results obtained were statistically analyzed. Results: The results were analyzed using SPSS software. The mean femoral neck-shaft angle using digital radiography method was 127.45 ± 2.50 when compared to dry bone group 126.90 ± 2.50. Gender-wise males had higher neck-shaft angle values when compared to females in both groups and were statistically nonsignificant. Conclusion: Any increase or decrease in the angle of femoral neck-shaft angle is associated with various clinical conditions. Data from this study would help to establish values for subHimalayan population of Northwest India, provide insight into various associated disease conditions, and also serve as guidelines for manufacturing of orthopedic implants.

Keywords

• Digital radiography
• dry bone measurements
• femoral neck-shaft angle