Radiographic canal-to-diaphysis ratio can help stratify risk factors for hip fracture

Risk factors for hip fracture in the elderly can be stratified through the evaluation of the radiographic canal-to-diaphysis ratio, according to recently published study findings.

Researchers measured the canal-to-diaphysis ratio on plain radiographs in 38 patients with trochanteric hip fracture and compared them to the radiographs of 39 age-matched patients with no hip fracture using the Shapiro-Walk test and likelihood ratio test. All of the measurements were taken twice by a single investigator, with 1 week between each visit, and verified by two separate orthopedic consultants to confirm interobserver and intraobserver reliability.

Results showed a significant increase in canal-to-diaphysis among patients with trochanteric hip fracture vs. patients without fracture. The researchers also found an index of 0.62 represented a risk of intertrochanteric hip fracture of 85.8%.

According to inter- and intraobserver reliability analysis, the test had high reproducibility. – by Casey Tingle

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.