Low psoas major muscle area as a risk factor for contralateral hip fracture following intertrochanteric fracture.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the psoas major muscle area as a risk factor and subsequent contralateral hip fractures in patients with initial intertrochanteric fractures.

METHODS

Of 136 treated for intertrochanteric fractures, 104 female patients had computed tomography done to assess their fractures at initial stage and had been followed up for more than 2 years. These patients were then divided into 2 groups: i.e. those who had a contralateral hip fracture (CF) (n=16) and those who did not (NF) (n=88) groups. We mainly assessed the relationship between the corrected psoas major muscle area (CPMA) at initial fracture and the occurrence of contralateral hip fracture.

RESULTS

The CF group had significantly lower CPMA than the NF group (p=0.001). There was positive correlation between the CPMA and the period from the initial to the contralateral hip fracture in the CF group. The CPMA cutoff value of 480.98 mm2/m2, was showed sensitivity of 63.6% and specificity of 87.5% in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The lower CPMA was associated with the contralateral hip fracture within 2 years from initial intertrochanteric fracture. The low CPMA would be a risk factor for contralateral hip fracture.