A femoral neck fracture is common among the elderly. This is a debilitating injury and can take several months of recovery and lengthy rehabilitation. In most cases, this type of fracture is due to falls.
What are the causes?
The main cause of a femoral neck fracture is osteoporosis. In this condition, it causes the weakening and thinning of the bones due to loss of bone mass. The elderly is prone to this condition especially women. The elderly is susceptible to fractures even from minor falls or injuries.
As for younger individuals, a femoral neck fracture is due to vehicular accidents or sports injuries especially in contact sports.
Indications of a femoral neck fracture
Some of the symptoms that might indicate a fracture to the femoral neck include the following:
- Intense pain in and around the hip region
- Difficulty with ambulation
Management
The affected leg is placed in a position with limited movement to prevent displacement of the fracture. The doctor will provide pain medications to control the discomfort. At this point, the doctor will decide on how to manage the fracture.
The ideal way to manage a femoral neck fracture is surgical fixation. The procedure done might be hemiarthroplasty in which the femoral neck is replaced with a prosthesis. In some instances, a complete replacement of the hip might be required. In this procedure, both the femur and acetabulum are replaced with prosthesis.
After surgery, the individual requires an extensive rehabilitation program with the recovery lasting for several months.
When the individual is done with treatment and rehabilitation as well as regaining stability and range of movement, it is recommended to start active treatment for osteoporosis.
Quick Note / Disclaimer
The material posted on this page on a femoral neck fracture is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn to recognize and manage fractures in the hip, register for a first aid and CPR course with Saskatoon First Aid.