Common Extracapsular Neck of Femur Fracture exam questions for medical finals, OSCEs and MRCP PACES
Question 1. Definition
What is an Extracapsular neck of femur fracture?
- These are fractures of the neck of the femur which occur outside the capsule of the hip joint
Question 2. Femoral shaft fracture
When does an Extracapsular neck of femur fracture become a femoral shaft fracture?
- When the main fracture line occurs 5cm below the lesser trochanter.
Will the patient have a shortened and externally rotated limb?
- No, this is more a feature of intracapsular neck of femur fractures. There may be some shortening however if the distal fragment has moved proximally.
Is this fracture pattern likely to lead to avascular necrosis of the femoral head?
- Again, no. This is more a feature of intracapsular neck of femur fractures
Question 3. Description of a neck of femur fracture
How do you describe a neck of femur fracture?
- 1. Intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric
- 2. Displacement and overall stability
- 3. Involvement of the trochanters themselves
- 4. Degree of shortening and degree of subtrochanteric extension where present
Question 4. Treatment of neck of femur fractures
What are the treatment options?
- These are usually treated with a DHS or an I.M nail.