Evaluation of bone geometry in patients sustaining femoral neck fractures

The purpose of this study is to compare calculated geometric properties of the femoral neck between fractured and nonfractured groups in an effort to more accurately assess patients at risk for femoral neck fracture. A cross-sectional study design was used that compared calculated load bearing capacity of the contralateral proximal femur in hip fracture patients to matched controls. Although not significantly different the average values of bone mineral density and fall index were smaller in the fractured hip group. The ability to calculate cross-sectional moment of inertia and define biomechanical factors of the femoral neck do not appear to be a more accurate assessment of a patients potential to fracture than the standard bone mineral density.