Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

Which nerve is commonly damaged with femoral neck or acetabular fractures?

1. Femoral nerve

2. Tibial nerve

3. Common peroneal nerve

4. Sciatic nerve

The correct answer is: Sciatic nerve

The sciatic nerve is commonly associated with damage in cases of femoral neck or acetabular fractures due to its anatomical proximity to the hip joint and its extensive pathway. In these types of fractures, particularly those affecting the acetabulum, there can be significant displacement of bone fragments, which may compromise the surrounding nerves. The sciatic nerve, which branches off from the lower lumbar and sacral plexus, runs posteriorly and close to the hip joint, making it vulnerable to injury during traumatic events or surgical interventions related to these fractures. Damage to this nerve can result in symptoms such as weakness in knee flexion and loss of sensation in the posterior aspect of the leg and the plantar aspect of the foot, underscoring the clinical significance of its integrity during and after hip injuries. In contrast, the other nerves mentioned—femoral, tibial, and common peroneal—while they may sustain injury in different contexts or locations, are not as directly implicated in femoral neck or acetabular fractures. The femoral nerve innervates the anterior compartment of the thigh and is primarily responsible for knee extension, but its pathway is less liable to be impacted by fractures in the hip region. The tibial and common peroneal