A 35-year-old man sustains a posterior hip dislocation with an associated acetabular fracture. Closed reduction is performed within 4 hours. The patient is at risk of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head. Which arterial injury is primarily responsible for AVN following posterior hip dislocation?

• A Lateral circumflex femoral artery
• B Obturator artery
• C Medial circumflex femoral artery ✓
• D Superior gluteal artery

Explanation

The medial circumflex femoral artery (MFCA) is the principal blood supply to the adult femoral head, running posterosuperiorly along the neck and giving retinacular branches. During posterior hip dislocation, these vessels are stretched or torn, leading to AVN. The foveal artery (from obturator) contributes minimally in adults. The lateral circumflex supplies the anterior neck region but is less critical for the femoral head itself.

Reference: Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults, 9th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.