An Insight to Patterns of Femoral Diaphyseal Fractures among Adult Nigerians: University of Benin Teaching Hospital Experience

Femoral shaft fractures had been noted to be life-threatening. The purpose of this radiologic study was to investigate the patterns of femoral shaft fractures among patients admitted in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between 2007 and 2011. Plain films from a total number of 203 patients aged between eighteen and sixty seven years were collected, comprising of 118 males and 85 females, from the Department of Radiology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. Fracture morphology was classified according to the AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen), the Association for the Study of Internal Fixation. The frequency of femoral shaft fracture was significantly higher in males than in females. There was no significant difference in frequency of femoral shaft fracture between the right and left sides. The highest frequencies of femoral shaft fracture were recorded between ages 18 to 47 years. After age 47, there was a significant reduction in the frequencies of femoral shaft fracture. The most frequent type of femoral shaft fracture is the simple types. The most frequent type of femoral shaft fracture is road traffic accident. The most prevalent group of simple femoral fracture type is the transverse group. All the simple fractures studied occurred in the middle zone. In conclusion, since femoral shaft fracture is an issue of harsh economic consequences, various should be taken by all the parties involved so as to address this menace.

Key Words: fracture, radiology, femoral shaft