The most common complication of intracapsular fracture neck of femur is
**Intracapsular Fracture Neck of Femur Complications**
**Core Concept**
Intracapsular fractures of the neck of femur occur within the joint capsule, which encloses the hip joint. This anatomical location affects the fracture's stability and blood supply, leading to a higher risk of complications.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The most common complication of intracapsular fracture neck of femur is avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head. This occurs due to the disruption of the blood supply to the femoral head, which is mainly provided by the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries. The fracture disrupts these vessels, leading to ischemia and subsequent AVN. AVN can cause significant morbidity, including pain, limited mobility, and eventually, collapse of the femoral head, necessitating hip replacement surgery.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Malunion is a potential complication of intracapsular fracture neck of femur but is not the most common complication.
* **Option B:** Infection is a possible complication of any fracture, but it is not the most common complication of intracapsular fracture neck of femur.
* **Option C:** Nonunion is a complication of intracapsular fracture neck of femur, but it is not as common as avascular necrosis.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The Garden classification is a useful system for grading the severity of intracapsular fractures of the neck of femur, with Grade I being a nondisplaced fracture and Grade IV being a completely displaced fracture.
**Correct Answer: A. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head.**