The experimental study of X-ray diagnosis of closed reduction rotational displacement of femoral neck fractures / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the optimal index of rotational displacement of femoral neck fractures by modeling the axial rotational displacement of femoral neck fractures after reduction and based on X-ray projections.Methods:Six dry human femur specimens, comprising 2 males and 4 females, were utilized in the study. Design and manufacture a proximal femur ortholateral and oblique X-ray casting jigs and mounts. The femoral neck fracture was modeled on the femoral specimen, with Pauwells 30°, 50°, and 70° models (2 each) made according to Pauwells typing. The fractures were manually repositioned with residual anterior 20°, 40° and 60° axial rotational displacements. Each fracture model was projected at different angles (pedicled 40°, pedicled 20°, vertical 0°, cephalad 20°, and cephalad 40°), and the trabecular angle and Garden's alignment index of the model were measured to observe the imaging characteristics of the fracture line on the medial oblique and lateral oblique radiographs.Results:In the presence of a 20° and 40° anterior rotational displacement following reduction of a femoral neck fracture, the trabecular angle in the rotationally displaced group was not significantly different from that of the anatomically repositioned group in various projection positions. However, when a residual rotational displacement of 60° was present, the trabeculae appeared blurred at most projection angles in the Pauwells 30° and 50° models, failing to measure trabecular angles. In the Pauwells 70° fracture model, the trabecular angle in the rotational displacement group was significantly different from that in the anatomical reduction group. In anteroposterior radiographs, when the anterior rotation displacement was 60° in the Pauwells 70° group, Garden's contralateral index showed an unsatisfactory restoration (150°, 142°), whereas all rotationally displaced models in the Pauwells 30° and Pauwells 50° groups had a Garden's contralateral index of >155°, which achieved an acceptable restoration. In lateral radiographs, all rotational displacement models with Garden's alignment index>180° failed to achieve acceptable repositioning, and the larger the Pauwells angle the greater the Garden's alignment index at the same rotational displacement. In the internal oblique position with a bias towards the foot side, the image showed partial overlap between the femoral head and the shaft, making it difficult to assess the quality of the reduction. Conversely, when projected cephalad, the femoral neck appeared longer, particularly at a projection angle of 40° cephalad, allowing for clear observation of the fracture line and the anatomy of the proximal femur. The trabeculae were not well visualized in the external oblique position.Conclusion:There are limitations in applying the trabecular angle to assess the axial rotational displacement of the femoral head after reduction of femoral neck fractures. The Pauwells 70° with residual rotational anterior displacement of 60° was the only way to detect axial rotational displacement of the femoral head on anteroposterior radiographs Garden's alignment index. For the determination of axial rotational displacement of the femoral head, the Garden's alignment index on lateral radiographs provides higher reliability.