The Neck Shaft Angle is an important morphological feature of the proximal femur. It plays an important role during walking. It is also an important parameter during the orthopaedic evaluation of the proximal femur especially when planning for total hip replacement. This angle has been found to vary among individuals of different race, ethnicity, age groups and gender. The aim of this study is to establish the normal value of femoral neck shaft angle among the Igbos in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria. This cross-sectional study involving the retrospective assessment of 109 normal hip radiographs of 49 males and 60 females aged between 25 and 80 years was done at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla Enugu. Using a handheld goniometer, the angle formed by the intersection of the longitudinal axis of the neck with that of the longitudinal axis of the femoral shaft was measured. The Neck Shaft Angle for both sexes ranged from 127-144° with a mean of 135.16±3.86°. The mean value in the males (135.94±4.42°) was greater than the mean in females (134.52±3.42°) though the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.055). The study established the normal NSA among the Igbos of Southeast Nigeria which will be helpful during the clinical assessment of patients and serve as a guide when choosing orthopaedic implants.

 

Keywords: Femoral neck shaft angle, proximal femur, regional variation, Southeast Nigeria