Hip Axis Length and Femoral Neck-Shaft Angle as Risk Factors for Proximal Femur Fractures in Octogenarians to Centenarians

Abstract

(1) Background: The prevention of proximal femoral fractures among people of very advanced age is relevant as they are common and increasing in number. The aim of this study was to determine if the hip axis length (HAL) and the neck-shaft angle (caput–collum–diaphyseal CCD) are risk factors for those fractures among people aged 80 years and over. Consequently, it was additionally analysed if these parameters are associated with a certain fracture type. (2) Methods: Anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis were collected to form three groups (femoral neck fractures (FNFx), trochanteric fractures (TFx) and non-fractured femora (NFx)). Two independent blinded observers separately conducted each measurement of the HAL and CCD. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the association between the measured parameters and type of fracture. (3) Results: One hundred and fifty patients (50 per group) were examined, of which the mean age was 92.7 ± 3.5 (range 81–104) years. Both the HAL and CCD of the FNFx group were significantly larger than in the TFx group (p = 0.013, 0.003). The CCD was higher in the FNFx than that of the NFx group (p = 0.001). No further significant differences of HAL and CCD were observed between the groups. (4) Conclusions: For people aged 80 years and over, an increased HAL represented no risk factor for proximal femur fractures, and a large HAL was associated with an increased occurrence of FNFx instead of TFx. A large CCD was associated with an increased risk of suffering a femoral neck fracture, showing evidence of the CCD being a risk factor for the extremely old population.