Morphometric Analysis of Proximal Femoral Dimensions on Plain Radiographs Among Adults in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The geometry of the proximal femur, particularly the neck-shaft angle (NSA), femoral neck width (FNW), and femoral neck axis length (FNAL), plays an essential role in orthopedic diagnosis, prosthetic design, and forensic identification. However, morphometric data for the proximal femur among populations in North-Western Nigeria remain limited. Objective: This study aimed to determine baseline values of NSA, FNW, and FNAL among adults in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria, and to evaluate differences across sex, age groups, and laterality. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using 277 normal pelvic radiographs obtained from the Sokoto State Advanced Diagnostic Centre between January 2022 and August 2023. Radiographs were analyzed digitally using Image Byte PACS Software (v4.9.3.25) and Radiant DICOM Viewer (2024.1). The NSA, FNW, and FNAL were measured bilaterally, and demographic data (age and sex) were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA were used to compare mean values, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean NSA values were 121.48° ± 4.06 (right) and 124.38° ± 4.00 (left). The mean FNW values were 3.71 ± 0.52 cm (right) and 3.75 ± 0.49 cm (left), while the mean FNAL values were 10.31 ± 0.98 cm (right) and 10.30 ± 0.94 cm (left). Males demonstrated significantly higher values than females across all parameters (p < 0.05). Age groups showed no significant variation in any of the measured parameters (p > 0.05). Side differences were statistically significant for NSA and FNW but not for FNAL. Conclusion: This study established baseline femoral morphometric values for adults in Sokoto, revealing sexual dimorphism and mild bilateral asymmetry. These findings highlight the importance of population-specific reference values for orthopedic surgical planning, implant design, and forensic applications in Nigeria.