A broken femur is a serious injury that may require surgery.
Because it is so strong, it requires a significant force to break it.
This article will discuss the symptoms and causes of a broken femur.
Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell
What Are the Symptoms of a Broken Femur?
For a femur to break, excessive force needs to be applied to it.
That being said, certain medical conditions can weaken the bone and make it more vulnerable to fracture.
These include osteoporosis, tumors, infection, and even certain bisphosphonate medications used to treat osteoporosis.
Breaks of these sorts are referred to aspathologic femur fractures.
Pathological fracture of the femur is a debilitating complication in patients with advanced stages of cancer.
They can also be split into categories based on the pattern of the break.
Acompoundfracture leaves the bone exposed as the skin is torn.
This key in of break involves more damage and brings a higher risk of complications.
The treatment almost always requires surgery.
The following types are commonly seen:
How Is a Broken Femur Treated?
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.
You may be able to put your full weight on the hip several weeks after an internal fixation surgery.
The intramedullary rod almost always remains in the bone but can be removed if needed.
A physical therapist will recommend the right exercises for you.
They may recommend using a stationary bicycle or swimming in addition to your prescribed exercise routine.
What Are the Complications of a Broken Femur?
Other possible complications include:
Femoral fracture surgery can also come with some risks.
Infection is, as with the fracture itself, one of them.
As with any surgery, you may also experience blood loss or a bad anesthesia reaction.
Severe pain right after the injury is the most common symptom.
The most common treatment is surgery followed by physical therapy.
It’s also important to consider whether the fracture is closed or open (the bone is exposed).
Open fractures come with a higher risk of complications.
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