Bones and fractures
Fracture of the neck of the femur
What do we need a skeleton for?
The skeleton is made of bones and has 3 essential functions in the human body.
Thanks to its resistance, it protects and supports the mechanical constraints to which the body is subjected.
It plays a role in the balance in many minerals in the body, such as phosphorus and calcium.
Finally, it contributes to the renewal of certain cells in the human body, such as blood cells for example.
What is fracture of the neck of the femur?
The neck of the femur is the junction between the head of the femur, which is inserted into the pelvis, and the vertical part of the femur. The neck of the femur is the most fragile part of this bone because it is elbow-shaped.
In the elderly, the neck of the femur is fractured most often after a simple fall from a height (although occasionally the fracture is spontaneous and causes the fall).
As we age, the bone weakens because of osteoporosis. Elderly women are therefore more prone to this type of fracture than men. The risk of falling can be accentuated by eyesight, hearing or balance problems, or by certain medical treatments.
In young subjects, the fracture is the result of severe trauma, such as a road accident.
Fractures of the neck of the femur often have very serious consequences. It can bring into doubt the vital prognosis of an elderly person and often results in a loss of autonomy and the obligation to leave one's home. In young patients, the re-education period is long and can be the cause of certain mobility disorders.
The fracture of the neck of the femur is also known as "hip fracture", "femoral fracture" and "fracture of the upper extremity of the femur".
Orthopaedic treatment
Wearing a hip protector makes it possible to prevent a fracture of the neck of the femur in elderly patients when they fall.
A hip protector is composed of undershorts and 2 shells.
The undershorts have side pockets to hold the shells against the great trochanter, that is, opposite the head of the femur.
The flexible part of the semi-rigid shells acts as a shock absorber and diffuses the shock wave towards the soft tissues (muscle and fatty masses) via the rigid part.
In this way, the force of the shock is absorbed and the constraint that is exerted on the neck of the femur is less than the fracture threshold.
Orthopaedic management can fit into the framework of a medical treatment prescribed by your doctor. In case of doubt, ask your doctor or orthopaedist for advice.
