Radiogrammetry of the Femoral Neck Shaft Angle and the Angles of the Hip Joint of Nigerians

Radiogrammetry of the axial relationship of the articulating bones of the normal hip joint has important clinical and medicolegal implications. This study is aimed to measure and provide normative values of the angular morphometric parameters needed to understand the relationship between the articulating bones of the normal hip joint among the people of South-southern Nigeria. Centre edge angle (CEA) and acetabular angle of sharp (AAS) and Femoral neck shaft angle (FNSA) were evaluated and measured from standard anteroposterior (AP) radiograph of 9 54 (4 3 2 males and 5 22 females) adults with normal hip using X-ray viewing box, Pencil, Ruler, and goniometer. The mean±Standard deviation values of the CEA, AAS and FNSA obtained from this study are 31.30±2.50° and 33.01±2.56°, 40.82±0.86° and 39.23±0.99°, and 135.00±3.91 ° and 132.16±4.06° for males and females respectively. The mean values of the all measured parameters were higher in males than females except for the center edge angle which was higher in females. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between sexes in all the measured parameters. We conclude therefore that inter-population and intra-population based differences exist in the studied parameters. Besides, sexual dimorphism and correlation exist in these parameters. We recommend the utilization of the normative values of the measured parameters stated in this study to forensic anatomist, radiologic anatomist and orthopaedic surgeons for the study population.

Key Words: Radiogrammetry, Articulating bones of the Hip joint, South- southern Nigeria