How long does it take for a femur to heal?
Most femur fractures are fixed within 24 to 48 hours. Sometimes it will be delayed until other life-threatening injuries or unstable medical conditions are stabilized. To reduce the risk of infection, open fractures are treated with antibiotics as soon as you arrive at the hospital.
How long does it take for a femoral shaft fracture to heal?
Most femoral shaft fractures take 3 to 6 months to completely heal. Some take even longer, especially if the fracture was open or broken into several pieces or if the patient uses tobacco products. Pain Management. Pain after an injury or surgery is a natural part of the healing process.
What is the screw placed above the fracture?
Screws are placed above and below the fracture to hold the leg in correct alignment while the bone heals. (Left) This x-ray, taken from the side, shows a transverse fracture of the femur. (Right) In this front view x-ray, the fracture has been treated with intramedullary nailing.
How are bone fragments held together?
They are held together with screws and metal plates attached to the outer surface of the bone.
What is the purpose of external fixation?
It keeps your leg straight and often helps to relieve pain. External fixation. External fixation is often used to hold the bones together temporarily when the skin and muscles have been injured. In this type of operation, metal pins or screws are placed into the bone above and below the fracture site.
Why do we need external fixators?
Because they are easily applied, external fixators are often put on when a patient has multiple injuries and is not yet ready for a longer surgery to fix the fracture. An external fixator provides good, temporary stability until the patient is healthy enough for the final surgery.
What is the best way to relieve pain after surgery?
Your doctor and nurses will work to reduce your pain, which can help you recover faster. Medications are often prescribed for short-term pain relief after surgery or an injury. Many types of medications are available to help manage pain.
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 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, ...
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 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 the straight part of the thigh called?
The straight part of your thigh bone (femur) is called the femoral shaft. When it breaks anywhere along the length of the bone, it is termed as femoral shaft fracture. This type of fracture always needs surgery to heal.
What is the best medicine for a compound fracture?
Antibiotics and Tetanus for Treating Compound Femur Fracture. As soon as the patient with compound femur fracture is brought to the emergency room, antibiotics are injected as the first measure. The type of antibiotic depends on the severity of injury. Tetanus shot is also given along with the antibiotics.
How long does it take to walk after a fracture?
Even after proper healing it can take months before able to walk normally. Exercises are essential at the time of healing the fracture. In addition, workout helps a lot to restore regular muscular strengths, flexibility and joint type of motion.
What is debridement and irrigation?
Debridement and Irrigation for Compound Femur Fracture. To prevent any chances of infection, debridement and irrigation are required in compound femur fracture. In debridement for compound femur fracture. Initially the surgeon would try to get rid of any dirt or foreign materials to prevent any infection. The part of the skin and the tissues that ...
Why do you cover a wound?
In case of complex wounds, the wound is often covered temporarily to minimize the chances of any infection and also help in healing of wound . Usually a semi permeable material is used as a cover over the wound until a proper closure procedure is implemented.
Can you use stitches for a compound femur fracture?
Complex wounds in compound femur fracture: In some of the cases of compound femur fracture where too much of soft tissue is damaged, it is not possible to use stitches for closing the wound . One of the following methods is used in case of complex wounds depending on the loss of soft tissue. Local flap in compound femur fracture: In this case ...
Can a compound femur fracture be treated?
Compound femur fractures cannot be treated without surgical fixation of bone. Internal fixation for Compound Femur Fracture: In the method of internal fixation of compound femur fracture the bones are first aligned into the right position and then fitted with special screws or by the use of metal plates fitted on the surface ...
Can you prevent a compound fracture?
As compound femur fracture is a case of accident, it can happen with anyone at any time. Thus you cannot take any preventive measure for compound fem ur fracture other than maintaining strong bones and taking care of safety while driving.
How to fix a broken femur?
Treatment for femur fracture may vary based on the type and location of the break and may often include: 1 Setting the leg 2 Immobilization through a splint or cast 3 Pain medication
What is a femur fracture?
In addition, femur fractures may be categorized by the type of injury, which may include: An open or compound fracture occurs when bone fragments may puncture the skin, also damaging surrounding muscles and tendons.
What are the symptoms of a fractured femur?
Symptoms of a femur fracture include severe pain, swelling, tenderness, physical deformity and often, the inability to walk . Treatment for a femur fracture often includes setting and immobilizing the leg, and in severe cases, surgery may be required to ensure proper healing.
How long does it take to heal a femur fracture?
Complete recovery from a femur fracture commonly takes about 4 to 6 months.
What is a comminuted fracture?
A comminuted fracture occurs when the bone has broken into several pieces. A displaced fracture occurs when the bone fragments on each side of the break are not aligned. An open or compound fracture occurs when bone fragments may puncture the skin, also damaging surrounding muscles and tendons.
How to diagnose a fractured femur?
Diagnosis of a Femur Fracture. A femur fracture is diagnosed after a physical examination of the leg as well as imaging tests that may include X-rays or CT scans. Imaging tests allow the physician to identify the exact location of the fracture.
Where is the proximal femur?
Proximal femur fractures involve the upper portion of the bone, next to the hip joint. Femoral shaft fractures involve the middle portion of the bone and are usually very severe injuries. Supracondylar femur fractures involve the area just above the knee and are considered uncommon.
What is the procedure to fix a broken femur?
The most common surgery for a broken femur is called intramedullary nailing . This surgery inserts a rod into the length of the bone with screws above and below to hold it into place.
What to do after a broken femur?
Following a femur break, once the bone is set back into its proper place and is stable, your doctor will most likely recommend physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the bone.
Why is my femur so strong?
The femur is a very large, strong bone that is difficult to break. A broken femur is usually caused by a severe accident; vehicle accidents are one of the primary causes. Older adults can fracture their femur from a fall because their bones tend to be weaker.
What is the strongest bone in the body?
The femur — your thigh bone — is the largest and strongest bone in your body. When the femur breaks, it takes a long time to heal. Breaking your femur can make everyday tasks much more difficult because it’s one of the main bones used to walk.
What happens if you break your femur bone?
Poor alignment of the femur bone may also be painful. Peripheral damage. The break may also injure the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves of the leg. Surgical complications. Some complications related to surgery include infection and blood clots.
What kind of scan is needed for a break?
In most cases, your doctor will start with an X-ray. If more information is needed, they might also order a CT (computed tomography) scan. Before recommending specific treatment, your doctor will determine what type of break you have. The most common types are:
Can a broken femur heal?
A broken femur will usually have a major effect on your life, but only temporarily. Surgeries are routinely effective and people are typically able to completely heal from a broken femur. In the majority of broken femurs, patients return to a normal lifestyle. Last medically reviewed on July 31, 2018.
What is the best treatment for a fractured femur?
Medications may also be used to help relieve your symptoms. Treatments for a fractured femur include: Antibiotics , particularly if the skin is broken and the possibility for infection is high. Bed rest.
What is the emergency for a fractured femur?
A fractured femur is an emergency situation. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for serious symptoms, such as trauma followed by the inability to move your leg, severe pain, swelling, bleeding, or deformity.
What are the risk factors for a fractured femur?
Risk factors for fractured femur include: Age over 65. Deconditioning (loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness) Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Frailty (general weakness, fatigue, loss of muscle mass and strength) Metabolic bone disease.
What does it mean when your femur is broken?
Conversely, femur fractures that occur after low-energy trauma suggest the presence of some type of underlying bone condition. A fractured femur in a child may be a sign of child abuse. Symptoms of a fractured femur can include severe pain, bleeding, deformity of the leg, tissue swelling, and being unable to move your leg.
What is the longest bone in the human body?
A fractured femur is a breakage in the thigh bone ( femur), the longest, strongest and heaviest bone in the human body. The strength and size of the femur means that under typical circumstances, a large force or extensive trauma is needed in order to result in a fracture. Motor vehicle accidents and falls are examples of common accidents ...
How long does it take for a fractured femur to heal?
Even with appropriate treatment, healing of a fractured femur can take up to six months.
What happens if you break your femur?
If the fracture has broken through the skin, the possibility for infection is increased. Severe injuries with profuse bleeding may lead to circulatory collapse or shock.
How does a femur fracture work?
For a fracture in the long, middle part of your femur, your surgeon may insert a long metal rod through the middle of your bone. The entire operation usually takes place while you are asleep under general anesthesia.
What is the procedure to fix a broken thigh bone?
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is surgery used to stabilize and heal a broken bone. You might need this procedure to treat your broken thighbone (femur). The femur is the large bone in the upper part of your leg. Different kinds of trauma can damage this bone, causing it to fracture into 2 or more pieces.
What is ORIF in femur surgery?
If you fracture your femur, you usually need ORIF to bring your bones back into place and help them heal. During an open reduction, orthopedic surgeons reposition your bone pieces during surgery, so that they are back in their proper alignment. ...
What causes a femur to break?
Your femur might also be more likely to break if you have bone cancer. Motor vehicle accidents, sports-related injuries, gunshot injuries, and falls are common sources ...
What is an open reduction?
During an open reduction, orthopedic surgeons reposition your bone pieces during surgery, so that they are back in their proper alignment. This contrasts with a closed reduction, in which a healthcare provider physically moves your bones back into place without surgically exposing your bone. Internal fixation refers to the method ...
What do you need to know before a femur surgery?
Before your procedure, a healthcare provider will take your medical history and do a physical exam. You’ll need imaging of your femur, probably with an X-ray or computed tomography scan (CT). Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines like aspirin.
Where does ORIF occur?
You might need ORIF for a fracture that occurs anywhere along your femur, including the portion that forms part of your hip joint. In a “broken hip,” it is actually part of your femur that breaks, and not part of the hipbone itself.
Overview
A compound fracture is a break or crack in your bone that is visible through your skin. Generally, bones break as a result of force and/or trauma like a car crash. Fractures can also be caused by less traumatic but repeated force.
Symptoms and Causes
Severe trauma causes compound fractures. Examples of events that can cause this type of severe trauma include a:
Diagnosis and Tests
A compound/open fracture is more obvious to a healthcare provider than a simple/closed fracture because your bone has broken through your skin. The healthcare provider will do a physical examination and then order X-rays to see exactly how the bones are broken and how they need to be aligned.
Management and Treatment
When you get to the emergency department you’ll get one or more pain relief options, including:
Prevention
Accidents can happen to anyone. It’s scary to think you could break a bone by falling off a ladder, getting into a car crash or slipping on a wet floor. You can reduce your risk by taking simple precautions such as:
Living With
Taking proper care of the cast immobilizing your bones is vital for the healing process. Keep the following tips in mind for proper cast care:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are consequences if the immobilization lasts too long, including:
