Which specific test is recommended for young female athletes suspected of having a femoral neck fracture?

Which specific test is recommended for young female athletes suspected of having a femoral neck fracture?

• A. Fulcrum Test
• B. Patella-Pubic-Percussion Test
• C. Trendelenburg Test
• D. Thomas Test

Answer: (B)

The recommended test for young female athletes suspected of having a femoral neck fracture is the Patella-Pubic-Percussion Test. This test is particularly useful because it assesses for the presence of a fracture in the hip region through a simple mechanism. During the test, percussion is applied to the patella while listening for a difference in sound quality, which can indicate an underlying fracture due to alterations in the normal resonance caused by the injury. This method is valuable in a clinical setting since femoral neck fractures can be subtle and may not present with overt signs during a physical examination. Young female athletes may be at a higher risk for such fractures due to factors like the female athlete triad, which includes disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis, making early identification critical for appropriate management and prevention of complications. Other tests, such as the Fulcrum Test, Trendelenburg Test, and Thomas Test, serve specific purposes unrelated to the direct assessment of a femoral neck fracture in this population. Each of these tests evaluates other conditions such as instability, muscle performance, or flexibility, but they do not provide the targeted evaluation necessary for confirming a suspicion of a femoral neck fracture.

The recommended test for young female athletes suspected of having a femoral neck fracture is the Patella-Pubic-Percussion Test. This test is particularly useful because it assesses for the presence of a fracture in the hip region through a simple mechanism. During the test, percussion is applied to the patella while listening for a difference in sound quality, which can indicate an underlying fracture due to alterations in the normal resonance caused by the injury.

This method is valuable in a clinical setting since femoral neck fractures can be subtle and may not present with overt signs during a physical examination. Young female athletes may be at a higher risk for such fractures due to factors like the female athlete triad, which includes disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis, making early identification critical for appropriate management and prevention of complications.

Other tests, such as the Fulcrum Test, Trendelenburg Test, and Thomas Test, serve specific purposes unrelated to the direct assessment of a femoral neck fracture in this population. Each of these tests evaluates other conditions such as instability, muscle performance, or flexibility, but they do not provide the targeted evaluation necessary for confirming a suspicion of a femoral neck fracture.