Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether bone microstructure is different between osteopenic and osteoporotic patients with femoral neck fracture.
Patients and methods: Fourteen patients (5 males, 9 females) with proximal femoral fracture following low energy trauma were included in the study. Patients with secondary osteoporosis and who received antiosteoporotic treatment prior to trauma were excluded. The patients were divided into two groups based on the bone mineral density measurement, including osteopenic group (n=7, mean age 69 years; range 63-74 years) and osteoporotic group (n=7, mean age 74.1 years; range 67-78 years). Cortical bone specimens for biopsy obtained from the patients who underwent endoprosthesis during partial hip arthroplasty and were evaluated using light microscope.
Results: Mean cortical bone thickness was 3622.14 μM in osteopenic group, and 2323.14 μM in osteoporotic group (p<0.005). However, light microscope revealed similar characteristics for both groups.
Conclusion: Although a significant difference was found between the groups in terms of cortical thickness, bone microstructure showed similar characteristics in osteopenic and osteoporotic patients with low energy femoral neck fracture.