Femoral neck fracture

During surgery to repair a hip fracture, your doctor will make one or two cuts (incisions) over the broken hip bone. The pieces of bone are repositioned and held in place with pins, screws, pins, rods, or metal plates. You may have x-rays to see if the pins and plates are in the right place. The doctor will use stitches or staples to close the incisions. The operation takes 2 to 4 hours.

Femoral neck fractures are one of the most frequent pathologies in the daily work of an Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology Service. There are several therapeutic options available, including osteosynthesis with cannulated screws.

Femoral neck fractures have always represented a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon and remains in many aspects as yet unresolved fracture in terms of treatment and results. These fractures, due to anatomical reasons and technical defects, are usually associated with high rates of avascular necrosis and pseudoarthrosis.

Among the anatomical reasons, and therefore not controllable by the surgeon, is the fact that the main blood vessels that nourish the femoral head pass through the neck. In addition to being intracapsular fractures, the synovial fluid can interfere with consolidation. A trace of vertical fracture, the coexistence of osteoporosis and advanced age also contribute.

A bad reduction or an osteosynthesis defect would be among the technical reasons, controllable by the surgeon.

Osteosynthesis is carried out after the reduction of the fracture, which can be opened or closed depending on the difficulty. The most commonly used method of osteosynthesis is by means of cannulated screws (two or three). If the bone is osteoporotic or the lateral cortex is comminuted the use of a screw-plate would be justified, although the results described in treatment with a single screw are poor.

It is very important to start moving around shortly after the operation. This will speed recovery and reduce complications.

In general, most people get out of bed with help on the day of surgery or the next day. You will most likely be moved to a chair for a short time. Over the next few days, you will likely begin light exercise and learn to walk with a walker or crutches.

You will probably stay in the hospital about 2 to 7 days after the operation. You may be transferred to a long-term care facility for rehabilitation before returning home. During rehabilitation, you can get help with daily activities, such as bathing on a stool. You will probably need a walking aid-a walker, cane, or crutches-for several months. And a full recovery can take up to a year.