What Is A Fractured Neck Of Femur? – How Long Does It Take To Recover? – Treatment, Causes, Symptoms

A Fracture Neck Of Femur Overview

A fractured neck of femur, commonly associated with a fractured hip, is when the femur or thigh bone has been broken or fractured in the upper section of the bone. This type of fracture can be significantly disruptive to a person’s life, particularly while recovering, as treatment usually requires surgery and a rehabilitation programme.

Fractured neck of femur

Fractured neck of femur

The neck of the femur is located quite high up on the bone and is connected to the ball that sits within the pelvis. This bone forms part of the hip joint, which is why a fracture of the neck of the femur is commonly linked to a hip fracture. It is important to note however that there are other types of broken hip, and they might not always be a fractured neck of femur.

A fracture neck of femur can be caused by a heavy impact to the hip itself in a fall or accident such as a car crash. Common fracture neck of femur signs and symptoms can include hip pain, swelling, and an inability to move or control the affected leg. This guide will provide information on the fracture neck of femur classification, and outline the symptoms, causes and treatments available for this type of injury.

Fracture neck of femur treatment can also involve a detailed rehabilitation programme in order to help you get back to full health following your injury. To find out about other possible treatments, and to see if you qualify for free treatment with us, contact our team today on 020 3870 4868. You could also use our handy online contact form to have us call you back when it suits you.

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Overview – What Is A Fracture Neck Of Femur Classification?

A fracture neck of femur, a type of broken hip, is a fracture or break in the weakest part of the femur bone, referred to as the neck. The neck connects the ball of the femur to the shaft of the femur. If there is a heavy impact to the hip or leg, it is more likely that the neck would fracture as it the most vulnerable point. This is because it is thinner than the other parts of the bone. This type of fracture is also more likely in people who are living with osteoporosis or osteopenia, which can result in weakened bones that are more susceptible to breaking.

Fractured neck of femur symptoms can include hip pain, swelling, a reduction on the length of the affected leg, and pain when touching the area near the hip. An X-Ray of a fracture neck of femur is the most common way to diagnose this type of injury and allows the doctor to ascertain the severity of the break. In some cases, however, an X-Ray might not be clear enough to reveal any damage so an MRI scan may be necessary. A fracture neck of femur MRI scan would give doctors a more accurate image of the hip joint, allowing them to make an appropriate diagnosis.

There are different fracture neck of femur types, and they are divided into different classifications depending on the location. Treatment can include surgery, medication and physiotherapy, and fractured neck of femur recovery time can vary depending on the type of break, and the person’s natural response to treatment and their ability to recover. Age can often be a factor in recovery time, as it can be harder for those with existing conditions to engage with the rehabilitation plan for a fracture neck of femur that is usually set in place by their doctor.

Are There Different Types Of Fracture Neck Of Femur?

Fracture neck of femur types are divided into two main categories. They are an intracapsular fracture and an extracapsular fracture. They are categorised based on the location of the break, and both categories also have their own types. There is no difference between either of your hip joints and it is equally as possible to fracture the neck of your left femur as it is for your right.

Intracapsular Fracture

An intracapsular fracture refers to breaks within the joint capsule, or neck of the femur bone. The femoral neck can fracture in different ways, and these are divided up into four different fracture neck of femur classifications, that are also known as the Garden classification. Breaks to the neck of the femur have a higher risk of avascular necrosis, which means the ball of the femur could lose blood supply, and effectively die.

  • Group I And Group II

These two groups are for non-displaced fractures, which means that though the bone is broken, the pieces have not separated, and are still aligned in the bone’s original position. Group I is for fractures that are only partial, and the bone has not completely separated. Group II is for complete fractures, where the bone has broken completely.

  • Group III and IV

These two groups are for fractures that have either been partially or completely displaced. This means the bone has completely broken, and also been pushed out of its original position so the pieces no longer match up. Group III is for partially displaced complete fractures, and group IV is for completely displaced complete fractures. With these types of fracture neck of femur, complications can be more common, as the chances of avascular necrosis are higher.

Extracapsular Fracture

An extracapsular fracture refers to breaks that have happened outside the joint capsule, just below the neck of the femur. This type is divided up into two types, depending on how far from the neck they happen. The area just below the neck is called the greater and lesser trochanter and breaks that happen here are called intertrochanteric fractures. Breaks that happen in the area just below the greater and lesser trochanter are called subtrochanteric fractures.

Extracapsular fractures have a lower risk of avascular necrosis but have a higher chance of breaking up into several pieces. It is also possible in more serious cases, for a person to experience both an intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fracture.

How Long Is The Recovery Time For A Fracture Neck Of Femur?

Similar to that of a broken hip, fractured neck of femur recovery times can vary. Factors that affect recovery include age, the severity of the break, and the type of treatment needed. Following most cases of a broken hip, or a fracture neck of femur, rehabilitation plans are put in place by the doctors caring for you. Although every person’s experience can be different, there is a basic timeline for the expected recovery time from a fractured neck of femur.

  • If you have had surgery, the length of time you have to stay in hospital afterwards can vary, depending on how serious your fracture was. Some breaks could require more complicated procedures, and you may need to remain under observation.
  • Staples and stitches could be removed within the ten to twelve weeks following surgery.
  • Doctors will encourage you to begin moving your leg or hip the first day after surgery, and mobility should return quickly, depending on surgery success and pain levels.
  • Following rehabilitation, and how well your body responds to it, it could take anywhere between four weeks to four months to be able to return to work.
  • It can then take six to twelve months before you feel fully recovered.

What Steps Can I Take For Pain Management?

Neck of femur fracture pain management is essential for a successful recovery. This is because in older patients, pain can cause delirium, and in others it can cause poor sleep, low mood and depression. Pain can also prevent you from being able to engage appropriately in your rehabilitation.

The pain should be less severe after surgery, but it will still be necessary for your doctor to prescribe medication to help control your pain. Some of these medications could also include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which help to reduce swelling in the area. Controlling swelling could also help reduce pain and encourage healing.

Physiotherapy and keeping active could also help to reduce pain, as it prevents stiffness in the joint and surrounding muscles. You could also complete some exercises at home, as well trying to keep active around the house by doing daily activities. Combining this with regular rest periods could help to prevent stiffness, while also not overworking the joint.

The Different Types Of Treatment Available To You

Fracture neck of femur treatment can vary depending on the type and severity of the break. The most typical treatment for a fractured neck of femur is surgery. Once your doctors diagnose your fracture neck of femur with an X-Ray or MRI, they will be able to decide on the appropriate course of treatment.

The hip joint is surrounded by a lot of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves, and it is one of the most important load bearing points in the body. To treat a fracture neck of femur it is necessary to ensure that the bone segments realign, to allow them to fuse back together. In most cases, fractured neck of femur surgery allows a doctor to fix the segments together using pins and surgical screws, and in other cases, a full hip replacement.

There are cases however where a person may not be suitable to under-go surgery. For example, a person who might be living with pre-existing conditions that could put them in danger while under anaesthetic. In these situations, the treatment would usually involve prolonged bed rest, so as to prevent the fracture from moving out of place. This can lead to complications with a fracture neck of femur in those who are not suitable surgery candidates, as they could develop further illnesses from prolonged bed rest.

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Is It Possible To Treat A Femoral Neck Fracture With A Hip Replacement?

Another fracture neck of femur treatment can also sometimes be a full or partial hip replacement. This is an option for treatment for people who have more of a chance of avascular necrosis (loss of blood supply) to the ball of the femur. In this case, rather than using compression screws to re-attach the ball, they would replace it with a synthetic ball, and in some cases, also replace the socket to allow it to fit comfortably. This treatment is more common among older people, as they are more at risk of avascular necrosis.

In younger people where the ball has become detached from the neck of the femur, the doctors will make an effort to try and save the ball by re-attaching it with compression screw rather than immediately choosing a hip replacement. This is because younger patients have less of a chance of developing arthritis or complication than older patients, and are at less risk if they need further surgery.

Follow Up Care For A Fractured Neck Of Femur

The follow-up care for a fracture of the neck of the femur is something that should be arranged by your medical team before you leave hospital. It is normal for doctors and physiotherapists to work together to arrange a fracture neck of femur rehabilitation programme. For those who are unable to manage at home alone or who need extra help coping with a fractured neck of femur, a nursing care plan will be put in place, again with the help of your medical team.

Your rehabilitation plan should include appointments with your doctor to remove any stitches and staples and to check on your wound. They could also do another fracture neck of femur MRI to ensure that surgery was successful, or that the joint is healing correctly. Your follow-up plan could also include physiotherapy sessions, which are essential to helping you regain strength and mobility in your hip joint.

Will Physiotherapy Help My Recovery?

As mentioned, physiotherapy could be a vital element in your recovery plan, and if you have surgery it will usually begin the day after. While in hospital you will be visited by a physiotherapist who will guide you through some simple exercises to do in bed, and regular physiotherapy sessions should continue for some time after you leave hospital. Physiotherapy will be a normal part of your fracture neck of femur rehabilitation programme, and even if you are in the care of others in a fractured neck of femur nursing care plan, physiotherapy may usually still be an important aspect.

The reason why physiotherapy is so import to your recovery is because it prevents stiffness, reduces neck of femur fracture pain, while helping you regain strength and stability. Many people might not be aware that they may qualify for free treatment while revering form a fracture neck of femur or broken hip. Contact our advisors today to see if you might qualify.

Self-Care Practices To Do At Home

Being active following your injury is a very important aspect of your fractured neck of femur recovery time. This is why your team of doctors will encourage you to begin moving as soon as possible after your surgery. Even on the first day after your operation, a physiotherapist will visit you and guide you in exercises to while in bed. For this reason, continuing with exercises once you return home could be very helpful in supporting your recovery and reducing your fractured neck of femur symptoms such as hip pain, swelling and stiffness. It is important to check with your doctor that you are well enough to begin home exercises and follow their advice. You can repeat each of the following movements six to eight times each.

Here are some examples of bed exercises, which you should complete while lying flat on your back:

  • Pull both knees up until your feet are flat on the bed, then slowly lift your buttocks up off the bed, pulling your buttocks together, hold for five seconds, then lower back down.
  • With both legs down straight on the bed, lift your affected leg up towards your chest, then back down to the bed.
  • With both legs straight on the bed, gently push your affected leg out to the side as far as you can, then bring it back to the starting position.

Here are some exercises that you can do while you are sitting in a chair:

  • With your feet flat on the ground, lift your heels up until you feel your calf muscles tighten, hold for two to three seconds, then lower back down gently.
  • With both feet on the ground, lift your feet up until your legs are completely straight, hold for two to three seconds, then lower back down to the floor.
  • Starting with your feet flat on the floor, lift your knee up towards your chest as far as is comfortable, hold for two to three seconds, then lower gently back to the floor.
  • With both feet on the ground push your affected foot out in front of you, then back again, keeping your foot flat the entire time.

These are some standing exercises you can do at home, which you should complete with a stable support like a chair or countertop to prevent you from falling:

  • With your support in front of you and your feet flat on the ground, slowly lift your foot out behind you, keeping your knee straight, as far as is comfortable, then slowly return it to the starting position.
  • With your support in front of you, left your affected knee up towards your chest, as afar as is comfortable, then lower gently back down.
  • With your support in front of you, and your feet hip-width apart, slowly begin to lower yourself down as far as is comfortable into a squat position, hold for two to three seconds, then lift your self back up.
  • With your support beside you and both feet on the ground, lift your affected leg out to the side as far as is comfortable, then lower back down.

Continuing to do daily tasks while at home also counts towards being active. Lighter tasks like housework are a good way to gently rebuild the strength in your hip and body in general.

Fractured Neck Of Femur Statistics

The National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) published a report in 2018 on the management of hip fractures in the UK which contained the following statistics:

Those who received surgery the day after submission:70.7%
Hip replacement to those who were eligible:31.4%
People given a compression or sliding hip screw:78.8%
People out of bed the day after surgery:78.8%

You Could Qualify For Free Treatment

Recovering from a fractured neck of femur can take time and having some extra help along the way could make all the difference to your recovery time. Many people are unaware that they might qualify for free fracture neck of femur treatment with us. To find out in minutes if you qualify for free treatment, contact our advisors today on 020 3870 4868. Alternatively, you could have us contact you at a time that suits you best completing our online contact form.

Additional Resources

This article was put together to provide useful information on fracture neck of femur classification injuries, their symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment. To provide further information on this injury and other possible injuries, we have included some links you might find useful.

Fractured Spine – See this article for more information on fractured spine injuries.

NHS Hip Fracture – See here for videos on exercises for those with a fracture of the neck of the femur from the NHS.

Fractured Skull – see here for the causes, symptoms and treatment of a fractured skull.

Fracture Neck Of Femur – See here for more information on fracture neck of femur types and diagrams from the NHS.

NHS Broken Hip – See here more useful information on treatments for a fractured hip.

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