Assessment of the Risk of Contralateral Non Simultaneous Neck of Femur Fracture in the Elderly.

Assessment of the Risk of Contralateral Non Simultaneous Neck of Femur Fracture in the Elderly. CT Based Study.

Neck of femur fractures are common in the elderly and are the source of significant morbidity and mortality. This study is based on a new technique developed in Ben Gurion University, with which investigators are able to asses the structural 3 dimensional strength of a bone by applying a unique simulation on a CAT scan of the bone. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk of a contralateral neck of femur fracture after the first neck of femur fracture and to estimate the potential fracture characteristics.

Neck of femur fractures are common in the elderly and are the source of significant morbidity and mortality. literature shows that around 10 percent of those who fracture their femoral neck for the first time will later fracture their contralateral neck of femur and in most cases with the same fracture characteristics. This study is based on a new technique developed in Ben Gurion University, with which investigators are able to asses the structural 3 dimensional strength of a bone by applying a unique simulation on a CAT scan of the bone. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk of a contralateral neck of femur fracture after the first neck of femur fracture and to estimate the potential fracture characteristics.

all patients will pass a CAT scan of ths pelvis and the 2 femurs. No other interventions are required.

A patient specific analysis based on CT scan and finite element analysis will be done on both neck of femurs.

The CAT scan will provide 3 dimensional characteristics of the current neck of femur fracture as well as the predicted one in the contralateral femur. The fracture will be described using orthopaedic classifications, such as: garden classification for neck of femur fractures and AO classification for intertrochanteric fractures of the femur.

Inclusion Criteria: 70-90 years old patients admitted to the orthopaedic department after neck of femur fracture. No contra lateral femur pathology. Consent for pelvis and femurs CAT scan. Exclusion Criteria: Known pathology in other lower limbs joints in the body. History of previous fractures or operations in lower limbs.

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