Femoral head fracture

Clinical Features

• Results from high-energy trauma (e.g. dashboard to flexed knee)
• Can occur with dislocation:
  • Posterior dislocation
    • Affected leg appears shortened, internally rotated, adducted
    • Fracture of inf aspect of femoral head; concomitant sciatic nerve injury
  • Anterior dislocation
    • Affected leg appears shortened, externally rotated, abducted
    • Fracture of anterior femoral head; concomitant vascular injury

Differential Diagnosis

Femur fractures

Proximal

• Intracapsular
  • Femoral head fracture
  • Femoral neck fracture
• Extracapsular
  • Intertrochanteric femur fracture
  • Trochanteric femur fracture

Shaft

• Mid-shaft femur fracture (all subtrochanteric)

Evaluation

Location of femur fractures

• Consider AP pelvis in addition to AP/lateral views to compare contralateral side
• Consider MRI if strong clinical suspicion but negative x-ray

Management

• Immediate ortho consult
• Emergent closed reduction of dislocation

Disposition

• Admit

See Also

• Femur fracture

References

Authors

Ross Donaldson, Eric Funk, Neil Young, Daniel Ostermayer