The association between femoral neck shaft angle and degenerative disease of the hip in a cadaveric model

Abstract

Background: While the influences of acetabular dysplasia and overcoverage on hip arthritis have been studied, the impact of femoral neck-shaft angle on hip arthritis is much more poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to determine if a relationship exists between neck shaft angle and the development of osteoarthritis, a better understanding of which would be useful to surgeons planning osteotomies about the hip. Methods: 533 cadaveric femora and acetabulae (1066 total) from the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection (Cleveland, OH) were acquired. We measured true neck shaft angle using an AP photograph with the femoral neck parallel to the table. Femoral head volume to acetabular volume ratio, representing femoral head coverage, as well as femoral version were utilised. Correlation between neck shaft angle, femoral version, femoral head coverage and osteoarthritis were evaluated with multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean age and standard deviation was 56 ± 10 years. There were 64 females (12%) and 469 males. There were 380 Caucasians (71%) and 153 African-Americans. Mean femoral version was 11° ± 12° and mean true neck shaft angle was 127.7° ± 5.9° There was a strong correlation between age and arthritis (standardised beta 0.488, p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between increasing true neck shaft angle and decreasing hip arthritis (standardised beta -0.024, p = 0.038). In the femoral head overcoverage subset, increasing true neck shaft angle was still significantly associated with decreasing hip arthritis (standardised beta −0.088, p = 0.018), although this relationship was not significant with femoral head undercoverage subset. Conclusions: With sufficient acetabular coverage, a relative increase in femoral neck shaft angle within the physiologic range is associated with decreased hip osteoarthritis. Clinical relevance: An understanding of the relationship between femoral neck shaft angle and hip osteoarthritis could be useful for surgeons planning pelvic or proximal femur osteotomies in children.