Hip, Pelvis, Thigh

Femoral Neck Fracture

What is a Femoral Neck Fracture?

A femoral neck fracture is a fracture of the femoral neck, located near the hip joint. The femur consists of a long shaft and a short, angled femoral neck. The femoral head is located at the upper end of the femoral neck.

What are the Causes of a Femoral Neck Fracture?

Elderly people are particularly susceptible to femoral neck fractures. The cause is usually a fall combined with osteoporosis. In young people, femoral neck fractures only occur with significant force (e.g., traffic accidents or falls from bicycles).

How is a Femoral Neck Fracture Treated?

Only in very rare cases can a femoral neck fracture be treated conservatively.

The surgical method depends on the type of fracture. For a medial femoral neck fracture in elderly patients, a total hip replacement is usually performed. In younger patients, hip-preserving surgery is performed, as hip joint endoprostheses have a limited lifespan. In these cases, the fracture is fixed with screws.

 

In the case of a lateral femoral neck fracture, the bone fragments are usually connected with a metal implant, a so-called sliding nail.

Do I Need Physiotherapy after the Operation?

It is crucial that you begin physiotherapy exercises as soon as possible after the operation. Not only mobilization is important, but also rebuilding muscle and strength. Physical therapies can be used to support pain reduction.

Pelvic Fracture

What is a Pelvic Fracture?

When the bone structure of the pelvis is injured, it is referred to as a pelvic fracture.

What are the Causes of a Pelvic Fracture?

In young people, the cause of a pelvic fracture is usually an accident involving high impact force. Elderly people often suffer from osteoporosis and are therefore susceptible to pelvic fractures. Even minor falls can lead to a pelvic fracture. Women are more frequently affected than men.

How is a Pelvic Fracture Treated?

Conservative treatment is only an option for injuries where the pelvic ring remains intact. After a few days of bed rest, physiotherapy is prescribed.

For joint fractures, such as an acetabular fracture, surgery is necessary. The fragments are fixed with screws and plates.

Femoral Shaft Fracture

What is a Femoral Shaft Fracture?

The femoral shaft (corpus femoris) refers to the long, tubular part of the thigh bone (femur).

What are the Causes of a Femoral Shaft Fracture?

The main cause of a femoral shaft fracture is severe sports or traffic accidents. The soft tissues of the thigh are also very often affected.

How is a Femoral Shaft Fracture Treated?

Femoral shaft fractures are always treated surgically. The individual bone fragments are brought back into their original position with the help of nails, less commonly metal plates. The metal can be removed after approximately two years during another operation. If soft tissue injuries are present, these are also treated during the operation.