Morphometric analysis of the hip joint in Western Indian population: Relevance in designing of various hip implants & prosthesis

Abstract

Background: Proximal femur bears significant functional impact on gait and posture. Numerous proximal femoral parameters have been reviewed in the Western literature. In turn this knowledge was implemented in the designing of various prostheses. These implants which have been manufactured for the Western population are being utilised rampantly without modifications in our Indian patients undergoing hip replacements. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in 250 patients (500 hips) with an otherwise normal hip joint after ethical committee clearance. Computed tomography scanning of proximal femur was carried out. The following parameters were calculated: Neck-shaft angle (NSA), neck width (NW), head diameter (HD), acetabular angle (AA), horizontal offset (HO), vertical offset (VO), medullary canal diameter at the level of lesser trochanter (MDLT), and acetabular version (AV). Results were compared with various populations and statistically analysed. Results: The mean values of NSA was 133°, NW 25 mm, femoral HD 41.9 mm, AA 35.1°, HO 36 mm, VO 47 mm, MD LT 19 mm, and AV 18.13°. These values are in contrast with those of the Western population. There was difference in the results when compared with contemporary Indian studies carried out in Northern and Northeast Indian population. There were significant differences in the parameters with respect to sex and side of the hip joint. Conclusion: We conclude that there are significant differences in the morphometric parameters of proximal femur among the Western Indian population when compared with the world population. Also comparison within the Indian population reveals that the morphometric parameters show variation from region to region.