J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1999 Jun;34(3):565-571.

Prediction of Risk Factors in Hip Fractures from Simple Radiographic Measurements of the Proximal Femur

• Shin SJ
• Jahng JS

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate whether simple measurements made on conventional pelvis plain film could predict hip fractures independently of bone mineral density.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The authors analyzed the simple radiographs and dual x-ray absorptiometry scan of women over the age of 60 years who had sustained a neck fracture (n=40), trochanteric fracture (n=40) and non-fracture volunteers (n=40).
RESULTS
In an age-adjusted univariate logistic regression model, the most reliable risk factor of hip fracture in bone mass was bone mineral density of the femoral neck. In the measurements of bone architecture, the most important risk factor was Singh index and in bone geometric measurements, it was hip axis length. There were no statistical differences in the measurements between neck fractures and trochanteric fractures. In a multivariate model, these three variables were shown to be significant improvements in the assessment of hip fracture risks.
CONCLUSIONS
The authors concluded that simple measurements of proximal femoral geometry made on pelvic radiographs could predict hip fracture as well as bone density of the hip.

Keyword

Hip fracture; Proximal femur; Simple radiographic measurement; Risk

MeSH Terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Bone Density
Female
Femur Neck
Femur*
Hip Fractures*
Hip*
Humans
Logistic Models
Neck
Pelvis
Risk Factors*
Volunteers