Influence of hip geometry to intracapsular fractures in Sri Lankan women: prediction of country specific values

Abstract

Falls are very common in daily life. Hip is a highly vulnerable location during a fall. Trochanter can be compressed due to side falls resulting either intracapsular or extracapsular fracture. The relationship of bone geometry to the fracture risk can be analysed as a determinant of mechanical resistance of the bone, as well as a promising fracture prediction tool. Intracapsular fractures are highly depend on the hip geometry compared to the extracapsular fractures. This study aims to find out the influence of hip geometry to the intracapsular fractures among Sri Lankan women. Hip axis length (HAL), neck shaft angle (NSA), femoral neck width (FNW) and moment arm length of intracapsular patients have compared with a normal group. Concurrently, the moment applied to the proximal femur during the sideway fall is computed and compared with a normal group. We observed that fractured group has greater NSA, HAL and FNW compared to the normal group. Furthermore, intracapsular fracture females have longer moment arm of the force in the sideway fall resulting a greater load on femoral neck compared to the normal group.