Evaluation of osteoporosis in patients with fracture neck of femur using conventional radiography.

Osteoporosis was assessed at the hip (Singh's index) and calcaneus (calcaneal index) using conventional radiography in 80 patients (31 men, 49 women) with fracture neck of femur. Forty four patients had intracapsular fracture neck of femur (ICFN), and 36 extracapsular fracture neck of femur (ECFN). Fractures occurred more with increasing age in both groups, with female preponderance in the older age group. Osteoporosis was more severe as age advanced. Singh's index decreased from 5.2 to 3 (ICFN), and from 4.1 to 2.65 (ECFN) with age. Calcaneal index decreased from 4.4 to 2.9 (ICFN) and from 4.1 to 2.6 (ECFN) with age. In summary degree of osteoporosis, assessed at the hip and calcaneus, increased with increasing age. Other recent studies have shown that calcaneal bone density is a valid method to predict future risk of hip fracture.