How do you describe a femoral neck fracture?
Femoral neck fractures are often described as subcapital, transcervical, or basicervical in location, and as either displaced or nondisplaced. These distinctions are important because the blood supply to the femoral head is at risk following fractures within the hip joint.
What is the most common complication of femoral neck fracture?
Most complications are associated with fracture displacement or a delay in diagnosis. Complications include delayed union, nonunion, refracture, osteonecrosis, and avascular necrosis. Early fixation failure (within 3 months of surgery) occurs in 12-24% of displaced femoral neck fractures treated by internal fixation.
How long does it take a femoral neck fracture to heal?
At some point, you may need physical therapy to restore strength and flexibility to your muscles. Doing your exercises as prescribed can improve your chances for a full recovery. Most femoral fractures take about 4 to 6 months to heal completely, but you should be able to resume many activities before this time.
Can a femoral neck fracture heal on its own?
For example, if the ends of the broken bone are impacted, or were pushed together due to extreme force from an accident of fall, the bone can heal naturally. If this is the case, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication, bed rest, and physical therapy for a few weeks to allow healing.
What mechanisms of injury are more likely in femoral neck fractures in the elderly?
Minor trauma causes many of the fractures in elderly patients whereas severe trauma is usually the mechanism in younger ones. Osteopenia is more common in elderly women and places them at higher risk for fracture. Microfractures of the femoral head and neck may add to the high incidence of fracture in elderly persons.
What is the purpose of the femoral neck?
The femoral neck makes an angle (the angle of inclination) with the shaft of 120–130° in the adult, representing the adaptation of the femur to the parallel position of the legs in gait (Fig.
Can a femoral neck fracture heal without surgery?
It is said that the non-operative treatment is acceptable for non-displaced femoral neck fracture. In a prospective study, 170 impacted femoral neck fractures were treated by early mobilization and weight-bearing [20].
How do you fix a femoral neck fracture?
Because nonoperative management results in a secondary displacement rate of 40%, stable femoral neck fractures are generally best treated with surgical stabilization and immediate mobilization. Treatment is by operative pinning with three parallel cannulated screws placed adjacent to the femoral neck cortex.
Can femoral neck fracture heal without surgery?
Why are neck of femur fractures so common?
Neck of femur fractures are typically caused either by low energy injuries (the most common type), such as a fall in frail older patient, or high energy injuries, such as a road traffic collision or fall from height and are often associated with other significant injuries.