Introduction: Abnormalities in hip morphology can reduce range of motion (ROM) through femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Structural issues, such as asphericity of the head-neck junction and regional or global acetabular over-coverage, have been extensively discussed in the literature. The effect of varying femoral neck-shaft angle or torsion on native hip range of motion, however, has been poorly studied. Our hypothesis was that varying neck-shaft angles or femoral torsion affect the impingement-free ROM of the hip and can be treated by femoral osteochondroplasty or acetabular rim resection.
Material and methods: A computer-aided design tool and a 3-D model of the hip were used to simulate incremental deformation of the proximal femur. Neck-shaft angles ranging from 90-160°, and femoral torsions ranging from -15-50°, were created. Femoroacetabular impingement was defined as bone-to-bone contact within physiological hip ROM, as described in the literature.
Results and conclusion: With decreasing neck-shaft angles (≤110°) or femoral torsion (≤10°), impingement occurred at the anterosuperior rim area. With increasing neck-shaft angles (≥135°) and femoral torsion (≥25°) posteroinferior or ischiofemoral impingement occurred. Acetabular rim trimming could compensate for neck-shaft angles ≥90° and femoral torsion ≥-5°, without creating acetabular dysplasia. Femoral impingement zones in low neck-shaft and low femoral torsion angles were found to be distal to the head-neck junction at the mid-cervical region. The cross-sectional area at this neck region was the smallest, and thus osteochondroplasty at this location may prove potentially dangerous.