Femoral Neck Fracture and Magnetic Therapy – How Can PEMF Support Your Recovery?

What happens in a femoral neck fracture?

The neck of the femur – the short segment that connects the femoral head to the shaft of the femur – 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

For these reasons the primary goal of treatment is early mobilization – getting the patient out of bed and starting rehabilitation as soon as possible.

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 know who receives the real treatment and who receives 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

It is 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.

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

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

Do NOT use the device if you:

• Have an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator
• Wear an insulin pump or other drug-delivering implant
• Are pregnant – especially avoid use on the abdomen and pelvic area
• Have active thrombosis – this is particularly important after a femoral neck fracture!
• Have an acute infection at the treatment site
• Have a 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:

• If you have 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.
• If you are taking anticoagulant medication
• If you have epilepsy
• If you have 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.

Important: 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

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, as it allows long, comfortable treatment sessions.

Summary – Quick overview

What is this article? A guide to adjunct PEMF (magnetic therapy) treatment after a femoral neck fracture, with scientific background and practical advice.

Who is it for? Patients who have suffered a femoral neck fracture and their relatives who want to support rehabilitation.

Main message: PEMF therapy can serve as an adjunct treatment to support bone healing and pain relief after a femoral neck fracture. A double-blind, randomized study showed higher fracture healing rates with regular PEMF use.

Therapeutic options:

• 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:

When can I start PEMF treatment after surgery?
In the studies therapy was started within the first week after surgery. Consult your treating physician for exact timing.

Can I use the device with metal screws?
Modern, non-ferromagnetic (titanium, medical-grade steel) implants generally do not prevent use. Your doctor can confirm this.

How long until I notice a difference?
Studies suggest meaningful changes after 30–60 days of regular use. Bone healing is a slow process – be patient.

Related articles

• Magnetic therapy (PEMF) – guide to home use
• Bone fracture healing and magnetic therapy – adjunct home treatment
• Osteoporosis and magnetic therapy – home adjunct treatment
• Supporting implant integration with magnetic therapy

Sources

1. 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
2. Parvizi J, Holiday AD, Engel J. (2015). Femoral neck fractures: current management. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. PubMed: 25635363
3. 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

The information in this article is for informational purposes only. Home magnetic therapy devices are intended to complement medical treatment and do not replace specialist care. In the case of a femoral neck fracture, always follow your treating physician’s instructions. If you have symptoms or new problems arise, seek medical attention immediately.