Assessment of Femoral Neck-shaft Angle on Plain X-rays and its Clinical Implications

Abstract

Background: Femoral neck-shaft angle is an important parameter for evaluating the biomechanics of the hip joint. It plays a pivotal role in surgeries for developmental dysplasia of the hip, neuromuscular disorders of the lower limb, proximal femoral fractures, Total Hip Arthroplasty, Perthes disease etc., It is also considered to hold an extensive bearing while designing orthopaedic implants. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the femoral neck-shaft angle of proximal femur on plain radiographs of our local population Study Design: Retrospective study Methods: This cross-sectional study was done at Saveetha medical college hospital, a tertiary care institute in Chennai. 50 pelvic X-rays of patients aged between 30 to 70 who presented to the outpatient or emergency care department were used in the study.  Using a goniometer the femoral neck shaft angle was measured in the plain X - ray. Results: The mean age of the population in our study was 47.12. And the mean femoral neck shaft was 132.6 in males and 124.9 in females.