Treatment FAQ

what is treatment for a hairline fracture if femur

by Merl Haag Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The majority of hairline fractures will heal by themselves if the person refrains from activities that put a strain on the affected area. For the first 24 to 48 hours, a person can help the healing process by elevating the affected area and applying ice where possible.Oct 26, 2017

Full Answer

What is the fastest way to heal a stress fracture?

What is the fastest way to heal a stress fracture?

  • Get Proper Nutrition. What you put in your body has a great impact on how well you’ll heal from your stress fracture.
  • Quit Smoking. Better blood flow equals better healing for your bones.
  • Eliminate Alcohol.
  • Get Plenty of Rest.
  • Listen to Your Doctor.
  • Get Moderate Exercise.

How long does it take to recover from a broken femur?

The majority of people who suffer a femur fracture receive specialized treatment in a long-term nursing or rehabilitation facility. Full recovery from a femur fracture can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 12 months; however, most people begin walking with the help of a physical therapist in the first day or two after injury and/or surgery.

What are the symptoms of a femur fracture?

  • Confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment
  • Heavy or uncontrollable bleeding
  • Inability to move the leg
  • Low blood pressure ( hypotension)
  • Protruding fragments of bone through the skin
  • Severe pain

What is the healing time for a stress fracture?

In the meantime, follow the RICE guidelines:

  • Rest. Avoid weight -bearing activities. Wear a stiff-soled, supportive shoe if necessary.
  • Ice. To ease swelling, ice the area for 24 to 48 hours. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply for 20 minutes at a time. ...
  • Compression. Wrap a soft bandage around the area to ease swelling.
  • Elevation. Use pillows to raise your foot or leg higher than your heart.

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What can be done for a hairline fracture femur?

How is a Stress Fracture of the Femur Treated at OSS Health?Rest and ice.Crutches.Immobilization.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.Physical Therapy.Osteoporosis medications.

How long does a hairline fracture in the femur take to heal?

Medical treatments Because it usually takes up to six to eight weeks to completely heal from a hairline fracture, it's important to modify your activities during that time.

Does a hairline fracture need treatment?

However, ignoring a hairline fracture, also known as a stress fracture, can be a grave mistake. Without treatment, the bone could break completely. If that happens, the healing time make take much longer and require more complicated treatment. Don't take chances with a hairline fracture.

What is the usual treatment for a hairline fracture?

Medical treatments Cycling and swimming are great alternatives to more high-impact exercises. Some hairline fractures will require surgery, where bones are supported by the addition of a type of fastener using pins or screws to hold bones together during the healing process.

Can you walk with a hairline fracture in your femur?

Even after the cast or brace is removed, most people still need to limit movement in the affected limb. In the case of leg injuries, a walker or crutches may be used for a few weeks or months after casts or braces are removed. In total, it often takes between 4 and 6 months for a full recovery from a spiral fracture.

Is a hairline fracture serious?

A hairline fracture might seem like a mild problem, but ignoring the issue and putting further pressure on the bone can lead to a more serious breakage. It's best to visit a doctor and take it easy, especially if you're an athlete. If left untreated, a hairline fracture can quickly become a more debilitating injury.

Can you walk with a hairline fracture?

Stress fracture For instance, a hairline fracture in your foot may cause difficulty walking, but not so much so that it alerts you to see Dr. Scheffel. However, he may recommend the following treatment methods for stress fractures: Stop the activity or activities that cause pain.

Is a hairline fracture worse than a break?

There's no difference between a fracture and a break. A fracture is any loss of continuity of the bone. Anytime the bone loses integrity—whether it's a hairline crack barely recognizable on an X-ray or the shattering of bone into a dozen pieces—it's considered a fracture.

How much time does it take to recover from hairline fracture?

Because it usually takes up to six to eight weeks to completely heal from a hairline fracture, it's important to modify your activities during that time. Cycling and swimming are great alternatives to more high-impact exercises.

Does hairline fracture show on MRI?

An MRI is considered the best way to diagnose stress fractures. It can visualize lower grade stress injuries (stress reactions) before an X-ray shows changes. This type of test is also better able to distinguish between stress fractures and soft tissue injuries.

What does a femur stress fracture feel like?

A femoral stress fracture often starts with a deep, dull gnawing or aching in the groin (inside of the leg) or front of the hip. Sometimes, the pain is felt in the thigh. It may even travel down into the knee. The pain is more noticeable when you walk or put weight on the leg.

Can you walk with a hairline hip fracture?

Limited mobility: Most people with a hip fracture can't stand or walk. Sometimes, it may be possible to walk, but it's extremely painful to put weight on the leg. Physical changes: You may have a bruise on your hip.

Does SSOC offer orthopaedic consultation and treatment?

Yes, we do offer consultation and treatment. For enquiries, please call us at +6566532981 .

Can I book an appointment with you at a certain time?

We do have an option for our orthopaedic clients to book an appointment with us. Please visit the appointment booking area on our website to do so.

What is your working hours?

We are open Monday to Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

What is a hairline fracture?

Hairline or stress fractures are tiny cracks on a bone that often develop in the foot or lower leg. It is common for hairline fractures to occur as a result of sports that involve repetitive jumping or running. Hairline fractures may also occur in the upper limb and are often related to falls or accidents. Hairline fractures usually develop ...

How to confirm hairline fracture?

Confirmation of a hairline fracture diagnosis may come from an X-ray. A doctor will do a physical examination first, where they will assess the person’s reaction to pressure on the affected area. A doctor may confirm the diagnosis using medical imaging techniques including: magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) X-ray.

How long does a hairline fracture last?

While hairline fractures may heal with sufficient rest, they can be painful and last several weeks. Anyone who engages in regular physical activity can develop a hairline fracture, especially if the activity involves repetitive movements that put a strain on a bone or a group of bones. The most common treatment approach is rest.

What sports cause hairline fractures?

High impact sports entail the most significant risk of hairline fractures, including: basketball. tennis. ballet. football or rugby. track and field sports. soccer. hockey. Hairline fractures can also develop as a result of sudden or disproportionate changes to the intensity, duration, frequency, or type of physical activity.

How long does it take to recover from a fractured bone?

A complete recovery will typically take between 6 to 8 weeks, after which full mobility should be restored. In some cases, a doctor may recommend protective footwear, a splint, or the use of crutches to minimise strain placed on the fractured bone during movement.

What is the best way to support anatomical abnormalities?

supporting anatomical abnormalities by wearing insoles, for example. ensuring changes to the duration, frequency, or intensity of activity are gradual, rather than sudden. getting sufficient rest between bouts of exercise. eating a healthful, balanced diet, which includes an appropriate amount of calcium and vitamin D.

Can a hairline fracture be treated with MRI?

Hairline fractures are easily dealt with, but medical attention should be sought immediately to prevent the injury from worsening. Ignoring a hairline fracture can lead to a more serious fracture or break occurring, which is more difficult to treat.

Why do sports medicine patients have hairline fractures?

It is caused by the application of repetitive strain and excessive training. Hairline Fractures are minute cracks on the bones, which can become severe if not treated immediately.

What is the best test for hairline fractures?

MRI is the best imaging test for determining hairline fractures. This test uses magnets and radio waves to provide your bone images. An MRI determines a fracture before an X-ray can.

What can be used to help with extreme pain?

In cases when extreme pain is experienced, the affected area must be put at rest and must be immobilized by casting or bracing. Shoe inserts like supportive orthotics and walking crutches can also be recommended but only when the patient’s normal movements are already affected.

Can stress fractures cause pain?

When patients ignore the doctors advice to rest and choose to continue playing, their condition can worsen and there is a high risk that the stress fracture has already evolved into a complete fracture. Pain can be felt throughout even when the patient is at rest.

Can a bone scan show a hairline fracture?

This substance accumulates in areas where bones are repairing. But because this test will indicate an increased blood supply to a particular area, it won’t specifically prove there’s a hairline fracture.

Can you use analgesics for hairline fractures?

Use of analgesics is also prescribed when the pain is unbearable. People who have hairline fractures can better visit physical therapists so that they could be advised with strengthening exercises that are non-weight bearing like swimming.

How to treat a femur injury?

Treatment. Rest is important, particularly resting from weight-bearing activities. Maintain fitness by swimming or cycling. Identification of any biomechanical problems such as overpronation which may have contributed to the stress on the femur.

What is a femur stress fracture?

A Femur stress fracture is a hairline fracture of the femur (thigh bone). Although quite rare it is caused by prolonged overuse. Pain may come on gradually as a dull ache, which intensifies if a bending force is applied to the femur.

What is the femur bone?

The femur bone is the long thigh bone. Prolonged overuse can cause a stress fracture. This is known as a femoral stress fracture. As with any bone, the Femur can also be fractured through one sudden force (see fractured femur).

How to tell if a femoral fracture is a femoral stress fracture?

Symptoms of a femoral stress fracture. Symptoms include a dull ache deep in the general area of the thigh. There is likely to be pain when a bending force is applied to the femur. This is known as the hang test. The patient allows their thigh to hang over the edge of a bench or chair.

What is the best treatment for a fractured femur?

Surgical Treatment for Femur Fracture: Most of the time, femur fractures require surgery to correct or repair them. Orthopaedic surgeons use new surgical techniques and tools to deliver optimum results, even in elderly patients with low bone density.

How long does it take for a broken femur to heal?

As the femur is a long and strong bone in your body, a broken femur is rare. However, when it fractures, the healing process takes around six months and goes through the following phases: Regeneration of new bone growth.

What is the classification of a fractured femur?

Classification of Distal Femur Fractures: If the bone breaks straight across, it is a transverse fracture, and if the bone breaks into pieces, it is known as a comminuted fracture. Sometimes, the femur fractures extend into your knee joint, which are known as intra-articular fractures.

How long does it take for a femur fracture to heal?

Most of the femur fractures heal within 3 to 6 months. But if an open fracture or the bone is broken into pieces or the patient consumes tobacco products, the fracture takes more time to heal. For the best femur fracture treatment, management and care plan – and for any other complicated bone fractures – including trauma, ...

How are femur fractures classified?

Femur fractures are classified based on: 1 Fracture location 2 Fracture pattern 3 Whether the skin and muscle around the bone are torn or not

Why do people have distal femur fractures?

Distal femur fractures are common in older people as they have weak bones. In younger people, they may occur due to a high impact fall or motor vehicle accidents.

What is a fractured femoral shaft?

Types of Femoral Shaft Fractures: Femur fractures vary based on the severity of the break. The bone might crack (stable fracture), or the broken bone pieces go out of alignment (displaced fracture). The skin surrounding the fracture might be intact (closed fracture), or the bone may pierce out of the skin (open fracture).

What is a femoral shaft fracture?

Femoral Shaft Fractures. A femoral shaft fracture is a severe injury that usually occurs as a result of a high-speed car collision or a fall from a great height. The treatment almost always requires surgery.

What is a proximal femur fracture?

Proximal femur fractures, or hip fractures, involve the uppermost portion of the thigh bone just adjacent to the hip joint. These fractures are further subdivided into: 2 . Femoral neck fractures are those that occur when the ball of the ball-and-socket joint is broken at the top of the femur.

What are the different types of fractures?

Proximal femur fractures, or hip fractures, involve the uppermost portion of the thigh bone just adjacent to the hip joint. These fractures are further subdivided into: 2  1 Femoral neck fractures are those that occur when the ball of the ball-and-socket joint is broken at the top of the femur. 2 Intertrochanteric hip fractures occur just below the femoral neck and are more easily repaired than femoral neck fractures.

What is a supracondylar fracture?

A supracondylar femur fracture, also called a distal femur, is a break in the bone that occurs just above the knee joint. 4  These fractures often involve the cartilage surface of the knee joint and are most commonly seen in people with severe osteoporosis or those who have previously undergone total knee replacement surgery.

What is external fixation?

External fixation is usually a temporary treatment for patients who have multiple injuries and cannot have a longer surgery to fix the fracture. 3 . External Fixation for Fractures.

Is a femur fracture a medical emergency?

A femur fracture is always considered a medical emergency requiring immediate evaluation and treatment in a hospital. The treatment is largely dependent on the location of the fracture and the pattern and extent of the break.

Can intramedullary rods be removed?

The intramedullary rod almost always remains in the bone but can be removed if needed. A less common technique involves the use of plates and screws to secure the fracture which is then held in place by an external fixator. The fixator, which is situated outside of the leg but penetrates the skin to stabilize the bone segments, ...

How often do women get hairline fractures?

Women develop stress fractures 10 times as often as men, and athletes that train in excess of six times per week are more likely to develop a hairline fracture after an increase in how often, how far or how long they train.

Why do people get hairline hip fractures?

Typically caused by repetitive stress on the bones, hairline hip fractures are most common among distance runners, military personal and the elderly. Because a hairline hip fracture does not involve the entire bone and has symptoms similar to tendonitis and muscle strain, it is often difficult to diagnose, according to The University ...

Can a hairline hip fracture cause groin pain?

Symptoms of a hairline hip fracture include hip and groin pain when standing or walking, limping and an inability to carry on normal fitness activities due to pain in the hip. As stated by Houston Methodist Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, many people who suffer from hairline hip fractures also have muscle and tendon damage.

How to fix a broken femur?

The type of surgery you have generally depends on the where and how severe the fracture is, whether the broken bones aren't properly aligned (displaced), and your age and underlying health conditions. The options include: 1 Internal repair using screws. Metal screws are inserted into the bone to hold it together while the fracture heals. Sometimes screws are attached to a metal plate that runs down the femur. 2 Total hip replacement. Your upper femur and the socket in your pelvic bone are replaced with artificial parts (prostheses). Increasingly, studies show total hip replacement to be more cost-effective and associated with better long-term outcomes in otherwise healthy adults who live independently. 3 Partial hip replacement. If the ends of the broken bone are displaced or damaged, your surgeon might remove the head and neck of the femur and install a metal replacement. Partial hip replacement might be recommended for adults who have other health conditions or cognitive impairment or who no longer live independently.

What is the treatment for a fractured hip?

Treatment for hip fracture usually involves a combination of surgery, rehabilitation and medication.

How to tell if you have a hip fracture?

Often your doctor can determine that you have a hip fracture based on your symptoms and the abnormal position of your hip and leg. An X-ray usually will confirm that you have a fracture and show where the fracture is. If your X-ray doesn't show a fracture but you still have hip pain, your doctor might order an MRI or bone scan to look ...

Where is the hairline fracture located?

Most hip fractures occur in one of two locations on the long bone that extends from your pelvis to your knee (femur): The femoral neck. This area is situated in the upper portion of your femur, ...

Where is the femoral neck located?

The femoral neck. This area is situated in the upper portion of your femur, just below the ball part (femoral head) of the ball-and-socket joint. The intertrochanteric region. This region is a little farther down from the hip joint, in the portion of your upper femur that juts outward.

What is partial hip replacement?

Partial hip replacement might be recommended for adults who have other health conditions or cognitive impairment or who no longer live independently.

What is a hairline fracture?

A hairline fracture is a type of crack in the surface layer or outer shell of an object, such as a bone. Hairline fractures are usually very small and often go unnoticed. However, they can be serious if not treated properly. They are so-called because they can be described as thin lines or hairline cracks, although a fracture is typically not ...

Why do my hairline bones break?

As we get older, our bones become more brittle, so they are easily damaged by everyday activities such as falling over or picking up something heavy. There are a number of different medical conditions that can also cause hairline fractures.

How long does it take for a stress fracture to heal?

It usually takes up to six to eight weeks to completely heal from a stress fracture. During this time, it's suggested you modify your activities and reduce or completely eliminate high impact exercises.

Can a hairline fracture heal by itself?

The majority of hairline fractures will heal by themselves if the person refrains from activities that strain the affected area. It's generally recommended to have a hairline fracture treated because of the possible complications. It may heal perfectly fine if it is left alone; however, there are still risks involved.

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