A fracture of which of the following bones is among the most troublesome and problematic of all fractures?
1.Tibia
2.Fibula
3.Patella
4.Femoral neck
5.Medial Malleolus
Solution:
A fracture of the femoral neck is among the most troublesome and problematic of all fractures because of the instability of the fracture site. Furthermore, the periosteum covering the femoral neck is exceedingly thin and has extremely limited powers of osteogenesis (bone formation). Because the retinacular arteries arise from the medial circumflex femoral arteries and run parallel to the femoral neck on their way to supply the femoral head, they are vulnerable to injury when the neck of the femur fractures. Rupture of these vessels cause degeneration (necrosis) of the femoral head and bleeding into the hip joint.