American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) Orthopedic Practice Test

What nerve may be injured in posterior dislocation of the hip?

1. Femoral nerve

2. Common peroneal nerve

3. Sciatic nerve

4. Obturator nerve

The correct answer is: Sciatic nerve

In the context of a posterior dislocation of the hip, the sciatic nerve is particularly vulnerable due to its anatomical proximity to the hip joint. When the hip is dislocated posteriorly, the force that causes the dislocation can directly impact the sciatic nerve or can alter the typical alignment of structures, leading to potential compression or stretching of the nerve. This can result in a characteristic set of symptoms, including weakness in knee flexion and foot drop, due to the nerve's role in innervating the muscles that control these movements. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and runs posteriorly to the hip joint, making it at risk during posterior dislocations. Recognition of this potential injury is critical for appropriate diagnosis and management in orthopedic practice.