Question:easy
A patient fell down from bicycle and started having pain around hip, shortening of limb and attitude was flexion, adduction, internal rotation (IR) of hip
A patient fell down from bicycle and started having pain around hip, shortening of limb and attitude was flexion, adduction, internal rotation (IR) of hip
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Remember the classic limb position: flexion, adduction, and internal rotation points to posterior displacement of the femoral head.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Anterior dislocation
- Transcervical fracture
- Posterior dislocation
- IT Fracture
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Limb attitude as diagnostic key:
In hip injuries, the attitude (position) of the limb is the fastest diagnostic clue:
| Condition | Shortening | Rotation | Abduction/Adduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Posterior dislocation | Yes | Internal | Adduction |
| Anterior dislocation | Yes | External | Abduction |
| Neck of femur fracture | Yes | External | Neutral |
| IT fracture | Yes | External | Neutral |
This patient has: shortening + flexion + adduction + internal rotation.
This matches posterior dislocation of the hip exactly.
Mechanism: The femoral head is driven posteriorly when the hip is in a position of flexion and adduction (e.g., sitting in a vehicle seat or crouching over a bicycle). The posterior capsule, being the weakest part, tears, and the head escapes posteriorly. The muscles attached to the greater trochanter (short external rotators) pull the limb into internal rotation paradoxically because of the altered position of the greater trochanter.
Risk of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a serious complication if reduction is delayed beyond 6 hours.
\[\boxed{\text{Posterior dislocation of hip}}\]
In hip injuries, the attitude (position) of the limb is the fastest diagnostic clue:
| Condition | Shortening | Rotation | Abduction/Adduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Posterior dislocation | Yes | Internal | Adduction |
| Anterior dislocation | Yes | External | Abduction |
| Neck of femur fracture | Yes | External | Neutral |
| IT fracture | Yes | External | Neutral |
This patient has: shortening + flexion + adduction + internal rotation.
This matches posterior dislocation of the hip exactly.
Mechanism: The femoral head is driven posteriorly when the hip is in a position of flexion and adduction (e.g., sitting in a vehicle seat or crouching over a bicycle). The posterior capsule, being the weakest part, tears, and the head escapes posteriorly. The muscles attached to the greater trochanter (short external rotators) pull the limb into internal rotation paradoxically because of the altered position of the greater trochanter.
Risk of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a serious complication if reduction is delayed beyond 6 hours.
\[\boxed{\text{Posterior dislocation of hip}}\]
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