Correlation between Femoral Neck Anteversion in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Normal Controls

Alterations in Femoral neck Anteversion (FAV) ranges from 30–40 degrees at birth which dwindles throughout life due to several hereditary and environmental factors. FAV has been proposed to be engaged in the pathogenesis of several diseases among which hip osteoarthritis is a contradictory issue of study. It was aimed to evaluate the correlation between FAV and hip osteoarthritis in adults. FAV was determined using Computed Tomographic Scanning (CT) in 36 patients with hip osteoarthritis and in 36 adults with normal hips. CT images of all cases were evaluated by an experienced radiologist and anteversion degree of femoral neck from both limbs were studied. Mean total FAV angle was 27.08 ± 8.80° and 23.43 ± 8.95° in patients group and control group, respectively. Total FAV angle did not show any significant difference between the two groups. Left FAV angle in osteoarthritic group was significantly increased compared with the control group. Mean osteoarthritis degree was 2.13 ± 0.99 in the patients. Osteoarthritis degree did not have any significant correlation with FAV angle of either right or left hip. No significant correlation was observed between different FAV angles and age in the whole study population. Significant increased left FAV angle was reported among osteoarthritic patients compared with the control group and it was concluded that anteversion in femoral neck could be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Thus, in the management of hip osteoarthritis, anteversion of the femoral neck should be of importance.