Such a serious injury as a femoral neck fracture is quite common, and mostly elderly people suffer. With age, bone tissue changes its qualities, its tone decreases and as a result, it becomes less durable. In addition, elderly people often have a disease such as osteoporosis. It occurs if calcium is ingested inadequately or is poorly absorbed. Often, such a disease develops during the onset of postmenopause, which explains the fact that in women a femoral neck fracture occurs 3 times more often. As a result of the development of osteoporosis, the bones become so fragile that they can be damaged simply by sitting on a chair or hitting a bed.
In case of injury, a person experiences pain in the groin, which is somewhat worse when trying to move. With a fracture of the foot, the damaged leg is turned slightly outward. If the victim is put and the lower limbs are gently straightened, then the one that is affected will be shorter. Of course, the size of the legs has not changed, just the muscles contract and pull it closer to the pelvis.
Sometimes it happens that a person has a hip fracture, but he does not experience acute pain and continues to move. In this case, a condition occurs that is called a “fractured fracture”. At the same time, the bones crumple and wedge together. The victim seeks medical help only when the bones are displaced a second time, and severe pain occurs. An unrecognized fracture in time can lead to very serious complications. In some cases, a person may be bedridden for life.
It is quite difficult to treat a femoral neck fracture due to the anatomical features of this area. Natural splicing is possible only in childhood and adolescence. Conservative treatment in patients who have crossed the thirty-year milestone does not give the desired effect and is used only if the operation is contraindicated for health reasons.
Currently, a femoral neck fracture with and without displacement is mainly treated surgically using endoprosthetics and osteosynthesis. When determining the type of operation, the doctor must take into account the patient's age, state of health, as well as data from clinical and radiological studies.
Osteosynthesis is the bonding of bone fragments using nails, screws and other metal structures. If no complications arise, the recovery period will be approximately 5 months. Such an operation is not done to patients whose age exceeds 60 years, because it is likely that the bone does not grow together. In some cases, after successfully performed osteosynthesis, necrosis of the head occurs after some period of time and then another operation will be required.
Endoprosthetics is currently considered the most progressive and effective method of treating femoral neck damage. The duration of such an operation is only an hour, and the patient loses a minimum amount of blood. A modern endoprosthesis makes it possible to walk, relying on the operated leg, in a day. A full recovery takes only a week or a little more.
For patients with a hip fracture, an important role is played by proper care and rehabilitation. In some cases, a person is forced to arrive for a long time lying down, and the following problems may occur:
- intestinal atony and constipation;
- pressure sores;
- congestive pneumonia;
- psychological and emotional disturbances.
But, with some effort, all these manifestations can be minimized. A fracture of the femoral neck has very serious consequences. This may be a restriction of the mobility of the damaged leg and its muscle weakness, nerve infringement in the inguinal region. To get rid of them, it will take several months to painstakingly fulfill all the doctor's appointments, including doing physiotherapy and doing massage.