Femoral Fracture

A Femoral Fracture is a break in the femur bone. The femur bone is also known as the thighbone. It runs from the hip to the knee and is the longest and strongest bone in the body. It usually requires a great deal of force to break the femur bone.

Causes

A Femur Fracture is usually caused by direct trauma to the bone. Trauma includes:
  • Falls
  • Blows
  • Collisions
  • Severe twists

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease, condition, or injury.
  • Advancing age
  • Postmenopause
  • Decreased muscle mass
  • Certain diseases that weaken bones, such as osteoporosis or cancer
  • Participation in certain contact sports, such as football

Symptoms

Symptoms include:
  • Immediate and severe pain
  • Swelling and bruising around the area of the break
  • Inability to walk or limited range of motion of the knee or hip
  • Deformity of the leg, such as shortening or abnormal twisting of the injured leg

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms, physical activity, and how the injury occurred, and will examine the injured area. Tests may include: X-rays – a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones. It is used to look for a break in the bone.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the severity of the injury. Treatment involves:
  • Putting the pieces of the bone back in position, which may require anesthesia and/or surgery
  • Keeping the pieces together while the bone heals itself
Devices that may be used to hold the bone in place while it heals include:
  • A cast – rarely used and only in young patients
  • A metal plate with screws (requires surgery)
  • A rod down the middle of the bone (requires surgery)
  • Metal pins that cross the bone, with a frame on the outside of the leg that holds the pins and the fractured bone in place (requires surgery)
Your doctor will order additional x-rays while the bone heals to ensure that the bones have not shifted position. Exercises When your doctor decides you are ready, start range-of-motion and strengthening exercises. You may be referred to a physical therapist to assist you with these exercises. Do not return to sports until your leg is fully healed and your thigh muscle strength is back to normal. Healing Time A fractured femur is a serious injury that takes 3-6 months to heal.

Prevention

To help prevent femur fractures:
  • Do not put yourself at risk for trauma to the femur bone.
  • Eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.
  • Build strong muscles to prevent falls and to stay active and agile.
  • Always wear a seatbelt when driving in a car.
  • Wear proper padding and safety equipment when participating in sports or activities.