What nerve injury is associated with an acetabulum fracture?

What nerve injury is associated with an acetabulum fracture?

• A. Median nerve
• B. Ulnar nerve
• C. Femoral nerve
• D. Sciatic nerve

Answer: (D)

The sciatic nerve is the nerve most at risk with an acetabular fracture because it lies directly posterior to the hip joint and the acetabulum. In high-energy injuries that disrupt the acetabulum, especially with posterior displacement or posterior wall involvement, the sciatic nerve can be stretched or compressed as it courses through the gluteal region and into the posterior thigh. This can produce motor deficits in knee flexion and ankle movements and sensory loss along the posterior thigh and leg to the sole. The other nerves aren’t closely related to the acetabulum in typical fracture patterns—the median and ulnar nerves are in the arm, and the femoral nerve lies anteriorly in the groin region, more at risk with anterior column injuries.

The sciatic nerve is the nerve most at risk with an acetabular fracture because it lies directly posterior to the hip joint and the acetabulum. In high-energy injuries that disrupt the acetabulum, especially with posterior displacement or posterior wall involvement, the sciatic nerve can be stretched or compressed as it courses through the gluteal region and into the posterior thigh. This can produce motor deficits in knee flexion and ankle movements and sensory loss along the posterior thigh and leg to the sole.

The other nerves aren’t closely related to the acetabulum in typical fracture patterns—the median and ulnar nerves are in the arm, and the femoral nerve lies anteriorly in the groin region, more at risk with anterior column injuries.