Duration of pain
The duration of pain after a fracture of the femoral neck varies greatly from one individual to another. It depends largely on the type and extent of the fracture. Slightly displaced fractures can cause little or no discomfort, while a slipped femoral neck causes severe to unbearable pain and requires emergency surgery.
Accordingly, the possible duration of the complaints varies. As a rule, however, pain usually improves significantly within a few weeks after surgery. Through early mobilization of the patient and supportive physio- and pain therapy (see: postoperative pain therapy), a fracture of the femoral neck can often be treated well. Adequate pain therapy is very important to facilitate the healing process for the patient and to prevent pain chronicity.
Femoral neck fracture without pain
A femoral neck fracture can also be associated with little or no pain. This is especially the case if the fractures are small and not displaced. The vascular supply to the head of the femur may then still be intact and the surrounding tissue has not been damaged by displaced bone fragments.
In such patients, the fracture of the neck of the femur is more likely to manifest itself as a slight, dull pain or pain when walking. Often, patients still come to the hospital on foot. The risk of misinterpreting such mild symptoms as a simple contusion is particularly high. Therefore, when older people fall, careful medical diagnosis is always recommended so that possible bone fractures are not overlooked.
Creeping femoral neck fracture
A creeping femoral neck fracture is when the fracture has occurred without a previous fall event or without the application of external force, e.g. as part of osteoporosis (see: Osteoporotic Femoral neck fracture) or a bone tumor.Pain may then also be absent or present only to a minor degree. However, this again varies greatly from one individual to another.
