Common Intracapsular Neck of Femur Fracture exam questions for medical finals, OSCEs and MRCP PACES
Question 1. Definition
What is osteoporosis?
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- Osteoporosis is the decline in bone mass and quality, often related to reduced mobilisation and weight bearing, increased age and female sex.
- It makes a bone more likely to fracture, occasionally following trivial or inconsequential trauma.
What is avascular necrosis?
- This is the loss of bone (in this case the femoral head) as a result of impaired blood supply and consequent ischaemia. It occurs due to disruption of the capsular blood supply to the femoral head.
Question 2. Typical fractured neck of femur
What is the typical fractured neck of femur patient?
- Elderly, osteoporotic, female.
What other fractures are commonly seen in the above group?
- Distal radius fractures, vertebral body compression fractures.
Question 3. Clinical presentation
What is the typical clinical presentation of a patient with an intracapsular neck of femur fracture?
- Groin pain and a shortened and externally rotated leg.
Question 4. Hemiarthroplasty
What is a hemiarthroplasty?
- A ‘half’ hip replacement where the femoral head is replaced only. The patient keeps their original acetabulum unlike in a total hip replacement where both femoral head and acetabulum are replaced.
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