Femoral neck angle
The angle between the longitudinal axis of the femoral neck (also: collum femoris) and the longitudinal axis of the long part of the femur (also: diaphysis) is called the femoral neck angle. Alternatively, the term CCD angle (center-collum-diaphyseal angle) is used. This should ideally be 126° in healthy adults.
If this is the case, one speaks of a physiological situation (also: coxa norma) in which the bone-specific structures for the pressure and tensile load (also: pressure and tensile trabecula) are exactly balanced. However, there are also deviations of the CCD angle, each of which can have different consequences for the bone structure and possibly even for the joint function. For example, if the angle is too small (e.g. less than 120°), the result is increased tensile load due to increased bending stress.
This leads to increased formation of tensile trabeculae and is called coxa vara. If, on the other hand, the angle is too large (e.g. greater than 130°), the compressive stress is increased and, as a compensatory measure, there is increased formation of compressive vortices. If this is the case, it is referred to as coxa valga.
Pain in the neck of the femur
If the thigh bone is malaligned, the body automatically tries to correct this by compensatory means. As a result, the person affected may not feel any discomfort in the acute situation, but this can lead to wear and tear (e.g. hip arthrosis) and incorrect loading with pain symptoms in the further course of the disease. It is therefore important to diagnose malpositions at an early stage and have them corrected if necessary in order to prevent chronic consequences and further pain as far as possible.
Diseases of the femoral neck
A femoral neck fracture is a fracture of the bone between the shaft and the head of the femur. Since the bone is angled at this point, it can break more easily if you fall.Older people over the age of 60 and especially older women have a higher risk of suffering a fracture of the neck of the femur due to a fall. The bone loses stability with increasing age as the bone is broken down and consequently a fracture can occur with a relatively light fall.
In younger people, fractures of the neck of the femur usually occur as a result of high speed dreaming, for example while riding a motorcycle, or in traffic accidents. Depending on the force applied, different fracture localizations are distinguished. Those affected usually report severe pain when moving the leg.
Often the leg in question is turned outwards and somewhat shortened when lying down. Depending on the type and extent of the fracture, treatment is either surgical or immobilization for some time and a subsequent gradual build-up of movement is recommended. Further information on the topic of femoral neck fracture can be found here.
An impingement generally represents a narrowing between two structures. Translated it means “Impingement”. A CAM impingement is a narrowing between the head of the femur and the acetabulum.
The bottleneck is caused by an insufficiently formed waist at the transition from the femoral head to the femoral neck or by a bony attachment. Because the bone does not lose its circumference at the transition to the femoral neck, it repeatedly collides with the acetabulum during movements in the hip. The cartilage can be injured by this constant irritation, especially during sports, and can tear or become inflamed.
CAM impingement manifests itself in severe pain in the groin when standing, walking or sitting for long periods. In most cases, this results in movement restrictions in the hip joint. Young men over the age of 20 are usually affected by CAM impingement.
If such complaints are noticeable, a doctor should be consulted. Untreated, in most cases arthrosis (joint wear and tear) of the hip joint occurs. Treatment options include surgical or conservative therapy, which should be considered by a specialist depending on the degree of impingement.
