What is intracapsular vs extracapsular?
Emily Wilson
Updated on March 08, 2026
What is intracapsular vs extracapsular?
Fracture classification Proximal femoral fractures either involve bone which is enveloped by the ligamentous hip joint capsule (intracapsular), or involve bone below the capsule (extracapsular).
What are the three types of hip fractures?
There are three broad categories of hip fractures based on the location of the fracture: femoral neck fractures, intertrochanteric fractures, and subtrochanteric fractures. The femoral neck is the most common location for a hip fracture, accounting for 45% to 53% of hip fractures.
What is an intertrochanteric fracture?
Introduction. Intertrochanteric fractures are defined as extracapsular fractures of the proximal femur that occur between the greater and lesser trochanter. The intertrochanteric aspect of the femur is located between the greater and lesser trochanters and is composed of dense trabecular bone.
What is intracapsular fracture of femur?
Femoral neck fractures are intracapsular fractures. The capsule is the area that contains the fluid that lubricates and nourishes the hip joint. Fractures in this area are categorized based on the location of the fracture along the femoral neck: subcapital is the femoral head and neck junction.
Are femoral head fractures intracapsular?
This is predominantly through the medial circumflex femoral artery, which lies directly on the intra-capsular femoral neck. Consequently, displaced intra-capsular fractures disrupt the blood supply to the femoral head and, therefore, the femoral head will undergo avascular necrosis (even if the hip is fixed).
What is a femoral head fracture?
Fracture of the femoral head is a severe, relatively uncommon injury; typically, it occurs following traumatic posterior dislocation of the hip joint. The Pipkin classification is the most commonly used classification system.
What is the most common type of hip fracture?
Intertrochanteric and femoral neck fractures are the most common types of hip fracture. Femoral head fractures are extremely rare and are usually the result of a high-velocity event.
Is a hip fracture worse than a hip replacement?
Patients undergoing surgery for a hip fracture are at substantially higher risk of mortality and medical complications compared with patients undergoing an elective total hip replacement (THR).
What is Subcapital fracture?
Subcapital fracture is the most common type of intracapsular neck of femur fracture. The fracture line extends through the junction of the head and neck of femur.
What is a Basicervical fracture?
Basicervical neck fractures are extracapsular fractures just proximal to or along the intertrochanteric line. Biomechanically, these fractures behave like intertrochanteric hip fracture and, thus, are usually treated with sliding compression hip screw system (for example, dynamic hip screw, DHS).
What is an example of a intracapsular fracture?
An intracapsular fracture is a bone fracture located within the joint capsule. Examples of intracapsular fractures includes: In the hip: Fractures of the femoral head and femoral neck.
Is a femoral neck fracture the same as a hip fracture?
A femoral neck fracture is a type of hip fracture of the thigh bone (femur)—just below the ball of the ball-and-socket hip joint. This type of fracture disconnects the ball from the rest of the femur. It often causes groin pain that worsens when you putting weight on the injured leg.
How long does a broken hip need to recover?
4-6 months: Really depends on how it was broke, how it was fixed, etc but realistically speaking the bone can take 3-4 months to heal based on location and your muscles will take additional time to recover if you were non weight bearing for a period of time.
What is the recovery time for a broken femur?
The majority of people who suffer a femur fracture receive specialized treatment in a long-term nursing or rehabilitation facility. Full recovery from a femur fracture can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 12 months; however, most people begin walking with the help of a physical therapist in the first day or two after injury and/or surgery.
What is treatment for femoral neck fracture?
If your fracture can’t be seen in the images and you still have symptoms, your doctor may recommend a CT scan, or an MRI or bone scan for a more detailed look. Treatment of femoral neck fractures usually involves surgery, medication, and rehabilitation. Pain medication provides short-term relief from pain.
What are the symptoms of a broken hip?
Severe hip pain