Caring for a Patient with Inoperable Hip Fracture

BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2025 Jun 1:spcare-2025-005440. doi: 10.1136/spcare-2025-005440. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Hip fractures pose significant challenges, particularly in managing severe incident pain in people who are not fit for surgery. We present the case of an older man with multiple comorbidities who was managed non-operatively. Standard opioids caused sedation with limited pain relief. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with intravenous fentanyl provided effective, short-acting relief, allowing the patient to remain alert and engage in care. This case highlights PCA as a practical option for managing incident pain in selected palliative patients.

Keywords: Case Management; Clinical decisions; Pain; Palliative Care; Rehabilitation.