Dorsal iliac dimensions in elderly females: anatomical considerations in two bolt iliac foundation construct

To detect the presence of differences in transverse dimensions in the female iliac blades in comparison to normal population groups.

The present study measures the transverse dimensions of female iliac blades from cadavers and dried bone specimens from women in the age group 50-70 years and compares with similar measurements taken from adult male dried hip bones. Five transverse dimensions were recorded in each iliac bone at equidistant positions twice. Once, the dimensions were measured along the upper segment and then along the lower segment of the bone. Both segments corresponded approximately to the directions of placement of screws in the two bolt iliac foundation. Hemi-pelvises from cadavers were sectioned vertically at equidistant planes and the sections were directly measured for the thickness at the cut surfaces in the two segments along the probable route of screw placement.

The lower segments were thicker and bulkier along the greater part of their length than the upper ones. The differences of dimensions between the two sides from the same individual and between the two groups were negligible and statistically insignificant. Thickness at the dorsal aspect of the hip-bone (ilium) in elderly females was comparable to male ones.

Measurements along the path of screw placements for a two bolt pelvic foundation in elderly females were found to be comparable with dimensions observed in the other samples used in the study.