Morphometric Study of the Proximal Dry Femur and Its Potential Application in Prosthesis Designing in Tanzania

Abstract

Background

Total hip arthroplasty and hemiarthroplast are currently common procedures in our setting, Subluxation and periprosthetic facture of the femur has been reported. This can be linked to undersize and oversize of the prosthesis since most of these prosthetics are western standardized. This is partly because of lacking data of the size of the proximal femur. The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum in the pelvic bone forming the hip joint. Knowledge about the different diameters of the head, neck and length of femur is essential in orthopedic surgery and radiology and forensic medicine. These normative values are essential for plastic and reconstructive surgeons in their reconstruction and medical rehabilitation. However, the anatomical and anthropological statistical analysis of femoral anthropometry among different populations reveals a great variation for all human races. The present study aimed at determining morphometric measurements of proximal femur among Tanzania black people.

Materials and Methods

The study was done by evaluating 97 undamageddrybones left femur 35, right femur 50 and 12acetabulapreserved in the anatomy laboratories at medical universities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The parameters evaluated were femoral head diameter, femoral neck width, lateral and anteroposterior femoral neck length, femur length, acetabular diameter and height. They were measured using Vernier caliper, non-elastic thread and osteometric board.

Results

The femoral length had range of 400-520 mm with the mean of 454.1±30.3mm, head diameter had a range of 34-54mm with the mean of 44.4±3.8mm and neck width had the range of 25.2-40mm with the mean of 31.7±3.3.The anterior and postero-anterior neck length measure 15-36mm and 25-48mm with the mean values of 23.2±4.2 and 36.8±4.3mm respectively. The mean values of acetabular width and diameter were 52.3±2.93mm and 48.9±2.78mm respectively.

 Conclusion

The proximal femoral and acetabular morphometric measurements varied compared to those in other populations. Therefore, the values obtained for Tanzania population should be considered on orthopedic decisions for implants to be used. However, more robust studies are needed to corroborate these findings.

Key words: Femur head, neck, morphometric, acetabulum.