Femoral neck fracture: Advice for patients from Bitburg
Quick surgery can alleviate the consequences, explains endocrinologist for the Bitburg region
BITBURG. ‘Patients with a femoral neck fracture – also known colloquially as a femoral neck fracture and medically as a femoral fracture – should be operated on quickly according to a new guideline now published in the Federal Gazette,’ emphasises Prof. Dr. med. dr. h.c. Christian Wüster. The endocrinologist and Head of the Hormone and Metabolism Centre also treats patients from the Bitburg region with osteoporosis or after a femoral neck fracture. ‘In our practice, we primarily focus on prevention so that our patients with osteoporosis do not suffer a femoral neck fracture or other bone fractures. However, such a fracture cannot always be avoided, especially if patients suffer an unexpected fall or osteoporosis is discovered far too late,’ explains the endocrinologist.
Specialist for the Bitburg region on guidelines for femoral neck fractures
The specialist for the Bitburg region considers the new guideline to be an important support for treatment. This is because studies have shown that rapid intervention within 24 hours of the fracture can improve the chances of recovery. ‘Of course, the prerequisite is that the patient with a femoral neck fracture is in such good overall condition that surgery can be performed without hesitation,’ emphasises Prof Wüster.
The guideline stipulates that hospitals must introduce binding, interdisciplinary and written standard procedures in order to be able to operate quickly on patients with femoral neck fractures. The current state of medical knowledge must be taken into account. Hospitals are also obliged by the guideline to fulfil minimum requirements for the care of patients with femoral fractures. If they fail to do so, they may only provide initial treatment to a patient with a femoral neck fracture.
Femoral neck fracture: patients in Bitburg should pay attention to the clinic’s equipment
Prof Dr med Dr h.c. Christian Wüster explains: ‘The aim of the guideline is to ensure good, comprehensive care for patients with femoral neck fractures. In recent years, the Institute for Quality Assurance and Transparency in the Healthcare System has repeatedly criticised the quality deficiencies in the preoperative length of stay of these patients.’ Prof Wüster advises his patients in the Bitburg region to request transfer to an appropriately equipped hospital in an emergency.
