[Determination of rotational defects of the femur by computer tomographic determination of the antetorsion angle of the femoral neck].

The first of all unexplained but persisting static complaints after femoral fractures are due to rotational deformities. The clinical examination can only sustain the suspicion of a rotational deformity but can not determine its exact extent. The usual X-ray determination of the anteversion angle in the technique of Dunn and Rippstein as a measure for torsional deformities is often very difficult, because of the exact positioning conditions of patients with posttraumatic axial deformities, soft tissue contractures and painful motility restrictions. With the total body computertomography we have a safe and quick technique, independent of the patient's positioning, to determine the anteversion angle without problems. In comparing the two sides, the rotational deformity can be recognized and its extent can exactly be measured. Because of the simple technique and the exact determination of rotatory deformity a computertomographic measuring of the anteversion of the femoral head always should be made before planning a corrective osteotomy to fix the extent of correction, whenever a total body scan is available.