Changing proximal femoral geometry in north east Scotland: an osteometric study.

The Western world is currently facing an “epidemic” in fractures of the proximal femur. Although the unexplained increase in the age specific incidence seems to have reached a plateau, absolute numbers will continue to rise because of the increasing number of elderly people in the population. Age alone, which inevitably brings a reduction in bone density, does not explain this phenomenon fully. Recent radiological studies have suggested that the hip axis and length of the neck of the femur are increasing; these changes may increase the risk of hip fracture. 3 We tried to confirm these radiological findings with an osteometric study.