What happens in a femoral neck fracture?
The neck of the femur – the short segment that connects the femoral head to the femoral shaft – is a particularly vulnerable area. In older age, especially with osteoporosis, even a simple fall can be enough to cause a fracture. In younger people, fractures are typically caused by higher-impact forces, such as traffic accidents or sports injuries.
Femoral neck fractures are especially dangerous because:
- The patient becomes immediately immobile
- The risk of thrombosis (blood clot formation) increases during prolonged bed rest
- Pneumonia can develop due to reduced respiratory activity
- Muscle wasting and further weakness may occur
- The blood supply to the femoral head can be compromised, leading to later complications
Key point
The primary goal of treating a femoral neck fracture is early mobilization – getting the patient out of bed and starting rehabilitation as soon as possible. PEMF therapy can be a complementary part of this process.
You can read about the general process of bone fracture healing – including the phases of callus formation – in a separate article.
Scientific background: What do studies show?
Faldini and colleagues from Italy published a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 2010 investigating the effects of PEMF therapy in patients with femoral neck fractures. This study design is the scientific "gold standard," where neither patients nor physicians knew who received the real treatment and who received a placebo.
The trial included 77 patients with femoral neck fractures. All underwent surgery – the fractured bones were fixed with screws – and were then randomly assigned to two groups:
- Active group: received a real PEMF device
- Placebo group: received a device that appeared to work but did not generate a magnetic field
Patients were asked to use the device for at least 8 hours per day over a 90-day period. The devices had built-in timers to record actual usage time.
Results
The researchers observed the following:
- 94% of patients who used PEMF therapy regularly achieved fracture healing, compared to 69% in the placebo group
- Pain reduction was significantly better in the active group at every follow-up
- The incidence of femoral head necrosis (osteonecrosis) was lower in the active group, although this difference was not statistically significant
The investigators concluded that PEMF therapy may support fracture healing and help reduce pain in patients with femoral neck fractures.1
How does PEMF therapy work?
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy generates a low-frequency, alternating magnetic field that penetrates tissues. Research suggests this stimulation can beneficially influence cellular-level processes:
- Supporting the activity of bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) – cells responsible for building bone may function more effectively
- Improving microcirculation – better blood flow can deliver more nutrients to the healing area
- Reducing inflammatory processes – which can contribute to pain relief
Important to understand
PEMF does not replace surgery or medication. It can be used as a complementary therapy to support your body’s natural healing processes.
Home use after a femoral neck fracture
One of the biggest advantages of PEMF therapy during rehabilitation is that it can be performed at home – especially after hospital treatments have ended but healing is still ongoing.
The advantages of a magnetic therapy mattress
For long daily sessions – up to 6–8 hours – an ideal solution is a magnetic therapy mattress. This mattress is placed on the bed and allows you to undergo therapy while sleeping or resting. Since patients typically spend a lot of time lying down after a femoral neck fracture, this method can be naturally integrated into the daily routine.
Treatment recommendations
Based on protocols used in studies:
- Daily treatment time of 6–8 hours is recommended
- Start therapy as early as possible after surgery
- Continue therapy for at least 60–90 days
- Choose the device program designed to support fracture healing
- If knee pain appears during rehabilitation, PEMF can also help (knee pain)
Important
Always consult your treating physician before using PEMF therapy, especially if you are receiving other treatments!
Before you start treatment
For safe use it’s important to know the contraindications. If any of the following conditions apply to you, consult your physician before starting PEMF therapy.
When NOT to use it? (Absolute contraindications)
Do NOT use the device if you:
- Implanted pacemaker or defibrillator
- Insulin pump or other drug-delivering implant
- Pregnancy – especially avoid use on the abdomen and pelvic area
- Active thrombosis – this is particularly important after a femoral neck fracture!
- Acute infection at the treatment site
- Malignant tumor at the treatment site
Special cases – medical consultation required
You may use the therapy with your doctor’s approval in the following situations:
- Metal implants (screws, plates) – modern, non-ferromagnetic implants usually do not pose a problem. After surgical fixation of a femoral neck fracture, magnetic therapy can also support implant integration (screws, plates).
- Taking anticoagulant medication
- Epilepsy
- Severe cardiovascular disease
Possible side effects
PEMF therapy is generally well tolerated, but the following may occur:
- Mild warmth in the treated area
- Temporary fatigue at the start of treatment
- Rarely, mild headache (usually with excessively high intensity)
If you experience any unpleasant symptoms, reduce the intensity or pause treatment and consult your physician.
Preventing complications
After a femoral neck fracture the greatest danger is thrombosis (deep vein blood clot) and the resulting pulmonary embolism. Statistics show that up to 40% of elderly patients with femoral neck fractures may develop thrombosis without appropriate prevention.2
Important
PEMF therapy DOES NOT replace thrombosis prevention! If your doctor prescribed anticoagulant injections or medication, be sure to follow that regimen in addition to PEMF treatment.
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Swelling, pain, or warmth in the leg
- Shortness of breath, chest pain
- Coughing, especially if blood is present
Recommended devices
The Magnum magnetic therapy devices have medical certification (CE/MDR) and include special programs to support fracture healing. For femoral neck fracture rehabilitation, using them with a magnetic therapy mattress is particularly recommended:
Magnum XL Pro
2-channel, 400 Gauss, ideal for long treatments when combined with a mattress.
Magnum 3000 Pro
2-channel, 400 Gauss, 70 programs, with a dedicated fracture-healing program.
The TotalBody 400 mattress enables long, comfortable treatments during sleep.
Summary – Quick overview
- PEMF therapy: Daily 6–8 hours of treatment for at least 60–90 days, using a magnetic therapy mattress
- Combined approach: Surgery + physiotherapy + PEMF adjunct treatment + thrombosis prevention
Frequently asked questions
In the studies therapy was started within the first week after surgery. Consult your treating physician for exact timing.
Modern, non-ferromagnetic (titanium, medical-grade steel) implants generally do not prevent use. Your doctor can confirm this.
Studies suggest meaningful changes after 30–60 days of regular use. Bone healing is a slow process – be patient.
Related articles
Sources
- Faldini C, Cadossi M, Luciani D, Betti E, Chiarello E, Giannini S. (2010). Electromagnetic bone growth stimulation in patients with femoral neck fractures treated with screws: prospective randomized double-blind study. Current Orthopaedic Practice, 21(3):282-287. DOI: 10.1097/BCO.0b013e3181d4880f
- Parvizi J, Holiday AD, Engel J. (2015). Femoral neck fractures: current management. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. PubMed: 25635363
- Hannemann PF, Mommers EH, Schots JP, Brink PR, Poeze M. (2014). The Application of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs) for Bone Fracture Repair. Annals of Biomedical Engineering. PubMed: 23331333
