how to repair a broken femur bone

Full Answer

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.

How do you repair a broken femur?

Targeted activation of androgen receptor signaling in the periosteum improves bone fracture repair

• Abstract. Low testosterone level is an independent predictor of osteoporotic fracture in elderly men as well as increased fracture risk in men undergoing androgen deprivation.
• Introduction. ...
• Results. ...
• Discussion. ...
• Methods. ...
• Data availability. ...

How do you treat a broken femur?

To treat a broken femur, start by seeing a doctor immediately for evaluation, since surgery is usually necessary for this injury. After working out a treatment plan with your doctor, do your best to stay comfortable before and after the surgery. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and naproxen can help with swelling, and your doctor ...

What are the complications of a broken femur?

Hip-fracture patients with COVID-19 stayed in the hospital longer, had higher rates of complications during surgery, increased rates of mortality, and more frequently received nonsurgical treatment.

Can a broken femur heal without surgery?

Most people with a fractured femur need some sort of surgery, usually ORIF. Without the surgery, your broken femur may not heal properly. ORIF can place your bones back into their proper configuration. This significantly increases the chance that your bone will heal properly.

How long do you stay in the hospital with a broken femur?

Treatment methods included intramedullary nailing, open reduction and internal fixation, arthroplasty or other definitive fixation of femur fracture. Investigators used hospital length of stay as the primary outcome measure. Results showed patients had a median length of stay of 6.43 days.

Is a broken femur serious?

Femoral shaft fractures can cause further injury and complications. The ends of broken bones are often sharp and can cut or tear surrounding blood vessels or nerves, though this is very rare. Acute compartment syndrome may develop.

Can you walk with a broken femur bone?

Full recovery from a femur fracture can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 12 months. But you are not alone. Most people experiencing a femur fracture can begin walking with the help of a physical therapist in the first day or two after injury and/or surgery.

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

Recovery most often takes 4 to 6 months. The length of your recovery will depend on how severe your fracture is, whether you have skin wounds, and how severe they are. Recovery also depends on whether your nerves and blood vessels were injured, and what treatment you had.

What is the fastest way to heal a broken femur?

A diet rich in those nutrients, including dairy products, green vegetables, cod liver oil, certain fatty fish and eggs can help boost bone health and speed healing. Avoid smoking and alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on bone health.

What happens if you break your femur bone?

If the femur is not set properly, there's a chance the leg will become shorter than the other one and may cause hip or knee pain many years later. 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.

Does a broken femur require a cast?

After reduction or surgery, your child will be put in a spica cast to hold the bone in place while it heals. If your child has surgery, the spica cast will also hold the hip or thigh muscles in place while they heal.

How much force does it take to break a femur?

about 4,000 newtons of forceIf you're looking for the specifics to snap a piece of your skeleton, it takes about 4,000 newtons of force to break the typical human femur. But don't run out and start applying pressure to femurs and then get upset at us when things don't crack correctly.

How many hours does femur surgery take?

The surgeon makes a surgical cut on the side of your thigh. The metal plate or nail is attached with a few screws. This surgery takes 2 to 4 hours.

How serious is a broken femur for elderly?

A femur break is a serious break at any age but it can be deadly to seniors that are 65 years and older. The femur is the longest bone in the body. Femur breaks/fractures are most likely at the hip but in some cases can be at the lower extremities.

What happens when someone breaks their 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 bend knee after femur surgery?

It will take atleast 3-4 months time to get full flexion. Don't try to bend it by yourself . Visit your nearest physio clinic.

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 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.

Why is osteoporosis so strong?

Because it is so strong, it requires a significant force to break it. With 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.

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.

How does a femur fracture repair work?

In the most common surgery to repair a femur fracture, the surgeon inserts a rod or large nail into the center of the bone. This rod helps support the bone until it heals. The surgeon may also put a plate next to your bone that is attached by screws.

What is the name of the surgery that is done to fix a broken bone?

These devices are called internal fixators. The complete name of this surgery is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). In the most common surgery ...

What is the term for a fractured femur?

You had a fracture (break) in the femur in your leg. It is also called the thigh bone. You may have needed surgery to repair the bone. You may have had surgery called an open reduction internal fixation. In this surgery, your surgeon will make a cut to the skin to align your broken bone.

How long does it take to recover from a fracture?

Recovery most often takes 4 to 6 months. The length of your recovery will depend on how severe your fracture is, whether you have skin wounds, and how severe they are. Recovery also depends on whether your nerves and blood vessels were injured, and what treatment you had.

How to keep leg brace dry while showering?

Take special care when showering. Follow your provider's instructions closely. If you are wearing a leg brace or immobilizer, cover it with plastic to keep it dry while you shower.

Can you put weight on your leg?

You may not be able to put all, some, or any weight on your leg for a while. Make sure you know the correct way to use a cane, crutches, or walker. Be sure to do the exercises you were taught to help build strength and flexibility as you recover. Be careful not to stay in same position for too long.