[Computerized tomography follow-up of the ante-torsion angle after femoral shaft fractures in the adult].

Rotational deformities are common complications following fractures of the femoral shaft. Computed tomography for determination of the anteversion angle of the femoral neck has proved to be the most suitable way of quantifying rotational faults. Out of our inpatient collective, 45 patients who had undergone interlocking intramedullary nailing of the femur and 10 in whom dynamic compression plating had been performed were examined by clinical investigation and computed tomography. Patients impression and clinical findings proved to be less reliable. Computerized determination of the anteversion angle showed rotational deviations of more than 10 degrees in 18 patients with interlocking nails and in 3 with dynamic compression plates. According to our investigations, rotational deviations less than 20 degrees will not usually handicap the patient. Therefore, we suggest that use of the term "rotational fault" be restricted to deviations exceeding 20 degrees compared with the uninjured side.