Evaluation of the Intraobserver and Interobserver Agreements of the New AO/OTA Classification for Fractures of the Trochanteric Region and the Femoral Neck.

Objective In the present study, we investigated the intra and interobserver agreement of the new Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification for fractures of the proximal extremity of the femur. Methods One hundred hip radiographs were selected from patients who suffered fractures of the trochanteric region or femoral neck. Four orthopedists, fellowship trained hip surgeons, and four orthopedic residents evaluated and classified fractures according to the new AO/OTA system on two separate occasions. The kappa (k) coefficient was used to evaluate intra and interobserver agreement in the different steps of the classification, namely: type , group , subgroup , and qualifier. Results Hip surgery experts obtained almost perfect intraobserver agreement of type , substantial for group and, only moderate, for subgroup and qualifiers. The residents had lower performance, with substantial agreement for type, moderate for group , and reasonable for subgroup and qualifier. In the specialists' interobserver evaluation, there was also a gradual decrease in the agreement between type (almost perfect) and group (moderate), which was even lower for subgroup and qualifiers. Residents had a substantial interobserver agreement for type , moderate for group , and reasonable in the other branches. Conclusion The new AO/OTA classification for fractures of the trochanteric region and femoral neck showed intra and interobserver agreements considered appropriate for type and group , with a drop in the subsequent branches, that is, for subgroup and qualifier. Still, in relation to the old AO/OTA classification, there was an improvement in the agreements for subgroup.

Evaluation of the Intraobserver and Interobserver Agreements of the New AO/OTA Classification for Fractures of the Trochanteric Region and the Femoral Neck / Avaliação das concordâncias intra e interobservadores da nova classificação AO/OTA para fraturas da região trocantérica e do colo do fêmur

Abstract Objective In the present study, we investigated the intra and interobserver agreement of the new Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification for fractures of the proximal extremity of the femur. Methods One hundred hip radiographs were selected from patients who suffered fractures of the trochanteric region or femoral neck. Four orthopedists, fellowship trained hip surgeons, and four orthopedic residents evaluated and classified fractures according to the new AO/OTA system on two separate occasions. The kappa (k) coefficient was used to evaluate intra and interobserver agreement in the different steps of the classification, namely: type, group, subgroup, and qualifier. Results Hip surgery experts obtained almost perfect intraobserver agreement of type, substantial for group and, only moderate, for subgroup and qualifiers. The residents had lower performance, with substantial agreement for type, moderate for group, and reasonable for subgroup and qualifier. In the specialists' interobserver evaluation, there was also a gradual decrease in the agreement between type (almost perfect) and group (moderate), which was even lower for subgroup and qualifiers. Residents had a substantial interobserver agreement for type, moderate for group, and reasonable in the other branches. Conclusion The new AO/OTA classification for fractures of the trochanteric region and femoral neck showed intra and interobserver agreements considered appropriate for type and group, with a drop in the subsequent branches, that is, for subgroup and qualifier. Still, in relation to the old AO/OTA classification, there was an improvement in the agreements for subgroup.

Resumo Objetivo Neste estudo, investigamos a concordância intra e interobservador da nova classificação Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) para fraturas da extremidade proximal do fêmur. Métodos Foram selecionadas 100 radiografias do quadril de pacientes que sofreram fraturas da região trocantérica ou do colo do fêmur. Quatro ortopedistas cirurgiões de quadril e quatro residentes de ortopedia e traumatologia avaliaram e classificaram as fraturas segundo o novo sistema AO/OTA em duas ocasiões distintas. O coeficiente de kappa (k) foi utilizado para avaliar a concordância intra e interobservadores nos diferentes passos da classificação, a saber: tipo, grupo, subgrupo e qualificador. Resultados Especialistas em cirurgia do quadril obtiveram concordância intraobservador quase perfeita de tipo, substancial para grupo e, apenas moderada para subgrupo e qualificadores. Os residentes tiveram desempenho inferior, com concordância substancial para o tipo, moderada para o grupo, e razoável para o subgrupo e qualificador. Na avaliação interobservadores dos especialistas, também se observou queda gradual da concordância entre tipo (quase perfeita) e grupo (moderada), que se mostrou ainda menor parasubgrupo e qualificadores.Residentestiveramumaconcordânciainterobservadoressubstancialparatipo, moderada para grupo e razoável nas demais ramificações. Conclusão A Nova Classificação AO/OTA para fraturas da região trocantérica e do colo do fêmur mostrou concordâncias intra e interobservadores consideradas adequadas para tipo e grupo com queda nas ramificações subsequentes ou seja para subgrupo e qualificador. Ainda assim em relação à classificação AO/OTA antiga houve melhora nas concordâncias para subgrupo.

Increased prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement on the elderly with fractures of the proximal femur.

OBJECTIVES: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) has been recently related to several pathologies, besides chondral injury and hip arthritis. We aim to investigate the prevalence of FAI morphology in an elderly cohort hospitalized due to a proximal femur fracture and compare these findings to a control group. We hypothesize that limited medial rotation due to FAI's morphology could increase stresses to the proximal femur, acting as a facilitating mechanism for fractures in this region. Therefore, a higher prevalence of FAI morphology would be present in the study group. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed based on the analysis of radiographic images in AP and lateral views of the fractured hip. Firstly, we have set to measure FAI prevalence in an elderly cohort victimized by fractures of the proximal by measures of the alpha, Tönnis, and lateral center edge angles of a hundred consecutive patients hospitalized for proximal femur fractures. Secondly, we have analyzed the possible relationship between the FAI subtypes and the type of fracture. Finally, we have compared this sample's data with that of a similar control cohort not affected by fracture. RESULTS: The cohort in this study displayed a higher prevalence of pathological changes in the Tönnis, center-edge, and alpha angles with odds ratios of 3.41, 2.56, and 4.80, respectively (with statistical significance). There was also a significant relationship between cam-type FAI and intertrochanteric fractures, corroborating our initial hypotheses. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that a cohort of older patients affected by fractures of the proximal femur had an increased prevalence of radiographic signs of femoroacetabular impingement. Furthermore, this is the first study demonstrating a statistically significant relationship of cam-type FAI with intertrochanteric fractures, suggesting a possible cause and effect relationship.