Objective sound wave amplitude measurement generated by a tuning fork. An analysis of its use as a diagnostic tool in suspected femoral neck fractures
Injury, 05/18/2012

Jawad Z et al. – The findings suggest that this test may be used as a diagnostic test or screening tool in the assessment of occult hip fractures.

• In the study, the authors used a tuning fork with frequency of 128Hz to objectively measure the reduction in sound amplitude in fractured and non–fractured hips.
• They looked at the feasibility of using this test as a diagnostic tool for neck of femur fractures.

• A total of 20 patients was included in the study, using MRI scan as the standard for comparison of diagnostic findings.
• Informed consent was obtained from the patients.
• There was a significant difference in the amplitude reduction of the sound waves when comparing normal to fractured hips.
• This was 0.9 in normal hips, compared to 0.31 and 0.18 in intra–capsular and extra–capsular fractures, respectively.
• The test was 80% accurate at diagnosing neck of femur fractures.