Study of Neck Shaft Angle of Femur in Dry Bones of Cadavers

Background: The femur’s Neck shaft angle (NSA) plays a crucial role in determining biomechanical properties and susceptibility to fractures. Knowledge of NSA is essential in understanding and treating pathological conditions of the hip joint. Despite its clinical importance, there remains a dearth of comprehensive data regarding the range and distribution of NSA values in cadaveric specimens. Aims: This study aims to measure the NSA of femur bones in dry cadavers, compare them with the previous studies, and discuss their clinical importance. Materials and Methods: Sixty (60) dry femur bones from cadavers were meticulously examined between 31 August 2020 and 30 August 2023. Approval from the concerned ethical committee was taken before starting the study. The NSA (defined as the angle made by the long axis of the shaft and the long axis of the neck of the femur) was measured by drawing the long axes of the femoral shaft and neck of the femur on the white sheet using a pencil, scale, and sketch pen and the NSA was measured using a goniometer (Figure-3). The Statistical analysis was done to determine the mean, standard deviation, and range of NSA values within the sample population. The results of the present study were compared with the previous studies on this topic. Results: The mean neck shaft angle (NSA) observed in 60 dry femur bones of cadavers was 130.5 degrees, with a standard deviation of 6.2 degrees. The range of NSA values varied from 120.3 degrees to 140.8 degrees within the study population. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the neck shaft angle (NSA) of femur bones in dry cadavers, shedding light on anatomical variations. The observed range of NSA values underscores the importance of individualized surgical approaches in orthopedic procedures involving the femur.