Perioperative Methadone Compared to Placebo in Elderly Hip Fracture Patients

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients diagnosed with an acute hip fracture (incurred \<24 hours ago) on x-rays in the emergency department (ED) at the university hospital of southern Denmark (SHS). This includes collum femoris fractures, pertrochanteric fractures, and subtrochanteric fractures. * Patients must be able to read and understand Danish. Exclusion Criteria: * Multiple fractures or multi-trauma patient * Previous allergic reactions or hypersensitivity towards methadone hydrochloride or sodium chloride * Health conditions preventing treatment: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with either past exacerbations or daily symptoms History of acute asthma attacks History of drug-induced eczema Pulmonary hypertension Raised intracranial pressure or recent head injury Pheochromocytoma History of paralytic ileus QT-interval prolongation on electrocardiogram (ECG) Myasthenia gravis Known liver disorder Hypotension (systolic blood pressure \<100 mmHg at admission) Acute pancreatitis Severe kidney disease (GFR ≤10) * Concurrent administration with MAO inhibitors or within 2 weeks of suspending treatment with these medicinal products * Concurrent administration of benzodiazepines * Impaired cognitive function e.g. dementia. Patients must be able to give informed consent and be able to ask for rescue analgesics if needed * Current opioid addiction or intravenous addiction