COMPARATIVE-EVALUATION OF THE 2 POSITIONS USED FOR IMAGING OF TROCHANTERIC FRACTURES

This study evaluates and compares the efficacy of the two positions us ed for imaging of the hip in trochanteric fractures. One hundred patie nts with grade I or grade II trochanteric fractures were divided into two equal groups. In group I the fracture was reduced and the opposite hip was brought to full abduction, neutral flexion and neutral rotati on. In group II, the fracture was reduced and the opposite hip was fle xed beyond 90-degrees, abducted and externally rotated. Only patients with minimal or no communication were included in this study. The radi ation exposure time was considerably less in group II. The abduction a ngle between the two limbs of the fracture table was higher in group I I and it was possible to visualize the femoral head completely in the lateral view in 96 per cent of patients in group II and 76 per cent in group I. We strongly recommended that the opposite hip should be flex ed to about 90-degrees, abducted and externally rotated if it is not p ossible to see the femoral head completely in the lateral view.