The measurement of femoral head-neck ratio and its clinical significance in Chinese

Objective To measure the femoral head-neck ratio among Chinese adults in Nanjing to explore its clinical significance. Methods 468 Chinese without hip symptoms were chosen randomly. There were 313 males and 155 females. 13 cases were less than 20 years old, 88 cases were from 21 to 30 years old, 123 cases were from 31 to 40 years old, 104 cases were from 41 to 50 years old, 102 cases were from 51 to 60 years old, 24 cases were from 61 to 70 years old, 14 cases were more than 71 years old. The mean age was 42.4 years old （ranged from 17 to 82 years old）. The maximum diameter of the femoral head and the minimum vertical diameter of femoral neck length on both sides were measured by Digimizer software in the standard anteroposterior pelvis film. The femoral head-neck ratio （FHNR） was calculated and compared with that of the western. Results The normal FHNR of Chinese in Nanjing was 1.48 ± 0.09 （1.33-1.69）. FHNR was 1.46±0.09 in Chinese aged less than 20 years old. It was 1.48±0.09 in Chinese aged from 21 to 30 years, and 1.47±0.10 in those aged 31-40 years, 1.46±0.09 in 41-50 years, 1.49±0.10 in 51-60 years,1.48±0.08 in 61-70 years, 1.49±0.10 in those more than 71 years. There was no difference between male and female, the left and right side or the different age groups. There was no difference between the western and Chinese in Nanjing. Conclusion FHNR measurement has not variation with regard to sex, age and side. It may be useful to understand some kind of the hip diseases. Key words: Adult;  Femur;  Radiometry;  Hip