Injuries of the trochanteric region: can analysis of radiographic indices help in prediction of recurrent osteoporotic hip fractures?

Injuries of the trochanteric region: can analysis of radiographic indices help in prediction of recurrent osteoporotic hip fractures?

Authors

  • Andrea Pellegrini
  • Fabrizio Tacci
  • Massimiliano Leigheb
  • Cosimo Costantino
  • Alessio Pedrazzini
  • Giuseppe Pedrazzi
  • Enrico Vaienti
  • Francesco Ceccarelli
  • Francesco Pogliacomi

Keywords:

osteoporosis, radiographic indices, bone mineral density, femoral fractures

Abstract

Objective: In a context of bone fragility, primitive and subsequent fractures are a growing problem in the industrialized countries where the mean age of the population is constantly increasing. Among the various factors that favor a fragility fracture, the most important is osteoporosis, a pathology that can be prevented through diagnostic screenings and treated by pharmacological and rehabilitative therapies. The aim of this study is to identify the subjects who are likely to have a higher risk of subsequent fractures of the trochanteric region through a retrospective radiographic evaluation of patients affected by low-energy trochanteric fractures and operated by intramedullary fixation between June 2013 and June 2015, so they can be targeted for prevention interventions. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and sixty-one patients yet alive were analyzed 2 years after surgery. Fifty-one (group 1), characterized by another contralateral trochanteric femoral fracture, were included. All subjects were retrospectively examined with the analysis of contralateral femur X-ray performed at the time of initial trauma in order to detect a condition of bone fragility and a predisposition to fractures by evaluating three radiographic indices (Singh index, Dorr’s classification and Cortical Thickness Index). Patients of group 1 were compared to the other 310 patients (group 2) affected by isolated trochanteric fracture. Results: Group 1 had all radiographic indices worse than group 2. Conclusions: The results observed suggest that orthopedists can use radiographic indices, in particular Cortical Thickness Index, as a valuable, simple and inexpensive screening tool for prevention of recurrent osteoporotic fractures.

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Published

18-10-2017

Issue

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

How to Cite

1.
Injuries of the trochanteric region: can analysis of radiographic indices help in prediction of recurrent osteoporotic hip fractures?. Acta Biomed [Internet]. 2017 Oct. 18 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];88(4 -S):43-9. Available from: https://www.mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/actabiomedica/article/view/6793