Hip Fractures

Question 1

Give the common positioning of a leg with someone who has a hip fracture?

Answer 1

ShortenedExternally rotated

Question 2

Give the different types of intracapsular fracture

Answer 2

Subcapital TranscervicalBasicervical

Question 3

Give the different types of extracapsular fractures

Answer 3

SubtrochantericIntertrochanteric

Question 4

How can you assess the severity of a neck of femur fracture?

Answer 4

Garden Classification1-4, depends on the severity of the displacement of the fracture, which also has an effect on the risk of the vascular supply has been damaged.

Question 5

What defines an intracapsular fracture?

Answer 5

The fracture occurs in the bone which is enveloped by the ligamentous capsule.

Question 6

What defines an extracapsular fracture?

Answer 6

The fracture occurs in the bone below the capsule/ intertrochanteric line.

Question 7

What is a particular complication for an intracapsular fracture and why does this happen?

Answer 7

Avascular necrosis- due to damage to the medial circumflex artery which gives rise to the retinacular arteries

Question 8

What should you look for in an x-ray of a hip fracture?

Answer 8

• Continuity of Shenton’s line- asymmetry - bone overlap- displacement of bone fragments