falls Flashcards
what is the proximal femur characterised by?
head and neck and 2 large projections referred to as the greater and lesser trochanters residing on the superior shaft
what does the shaft of the femur bear?
the greater and lesser trochanter, providing attachment for muscle that articulate the hip
what is the inter-trochanteric line?
resides on the anterior surface along the junction of the femoral neck and shaft traversing between the two trochanters
it demarcates the inferior attachments of the hip capsule
what does the hip capsule contain?
the acetabular notch which is spanned by the transverse acetabular ligament, the fossa contains fibro-fatty tissue, thus the articular surface is a horseshoe shape to minimise contact stress with the acetabulum
what is the hip capsule deepened by?
rim of cartilage known as the acetabular labrum
what are the head of the femur and acetabular notch connected by?
ligamentum teres from the transverse acetabular ligament and the fovea of the femoral head
what does the hip capsule contain that perfuses through the femoral head?
retinacular vessels
what are retinacular vessels branches of?
medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries that extend to the head of the femur within the retinacular folds of the synovial membrane, penetrating the capsule of the hip joint at the intertrochanteric line (intracapsular)
what are retinacular vessels?
branches of the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries that extend to the head of the femur within the retinacular folds of the synovial membrane, penetrating the capsule of the hip joint at the intertrochanteric line (Intracapsular).
what can intracapsular fractures lead to?
intracapsular fractures lead to a significant disruption to the vasculature of the femoral head and neck leading to avascular necrosis.
what do femoral neck fracture interrupt blood supply to?
femoral head that is predominantly supplied by the extracapsular arterial ring formed by the branches of the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries around the base of the femoral neck.
what do intrascapular features disrupt?
penetrating retinacular arteries that supply the femoral head, ultimately manifesting as necrosis.
the foveal artery via the ligamentum teres contributes to supplying the femoral head.
what are the types of femoral fractures?
- Intracapsular - fractures Above the inter-trochanteric line
- Extracapsular – fractures Below the intertrochanteric line
- Subcapital - fracture line that passes across the femoral head-neck junction → Highest risk of developing necrosis of the femoral head. Most common type of intrascapular fracture.
- Transcervical - fracture line passes through the mid-portion of the femoral neck.
- Basicervical - fracture line passes across the base of neck → Lowest risk of avascular femoral head necrosis.
What type of intracapsular fracture has greater risks of avascular necrosis?
Subcapital fracture along the head-neck junction (this type is also the most common).
describe Garden Classification Stage I
undisplaced, incomplete fracture, valgus impacted
describe Garden Classification Stage II
undisplaced, complete fracture, no disturbance of the medial traveculae
describe Garden Classification Stage III
partially displaced, complete fracture, femoral head tilts into varus position causing its medial trabeculae to be out of line with the pelvic trabeculae
describe Garden Classification Stage IV
completely displaced, complete fracture, femoral head aligned in the acetabulum; medial trabeculae are in line with the pelvic trabeculae
which type is there a minimal displacement in?
type I and II → therefore there is a lessened risk to the disruption of femoral head blood supply.
which type is there a significant disruption of femoral head blood supply?
Type III and IV fracture displacement cause significant disruption to the femoral retinacular supply.
what are neurological aetiologies of fragility fractures and falls?
- confusion
- CI
- depression
- poor vision, balance and co-ordination
what are neuromuscular aetiologies of fragility fractures and falls?
- muscle weakness
- gait disorder (e.g. parkinson’s hemiplegia, cerebellar disease, antalgic, normal pressure, hydrocephalus, proximal myopathy)
- peripheral neuropathy including sensory ataxia, foot drop
- arthritis and joint disorders
what are cardiovascular aetiologies of fragility fractures and falls?
- syncope
- arrythmias
- orthostatic hypotension
what are environmental aetiologies of fragility fractures and falls?
- home hazards
- inappropriate footwear
- insufficient home modifications
what are chemical aetiologies of fragility fractures and falls?
- polypharmacy (5+)
- particular drug culprits