Femur fracture

A femur fracture is a serious injury caused by significant external force, commonly seen after traffic accidents, workplace accidents, or high falls, requiring 4-6 months for complete bone healing. Symptoms include severe pain, deformity of the leg, shortening of the injured side compared to the healthy side, and inability to move.

Important information to know:

Signs to recognize: Swelling of the thigh, deformity, external rotation of the heel, complete inability to move, which may cause shock due to significant blood loss.

Types of femur fractures: Femoral neck fracture (commonly seen in elderly individuals with osteoporosis) and femoral shaft fracture (commonly seen in younger individuals after strong trauma).

Treatment methods:

Surgery (most common): Internal fixation with intramedullary nails, screws.

Conservative treatment: Casting or continuous traction (usually indicated for children or individuals who cannot undergo surgery).

Recovery time: On average 3-6 months, may be extended depending on the case.

Complications: If not treated promptly, may experience shock due to pain/blood loss, vascular occlusion, infection, or nonunion of the joint.

Note: Patients should be taken to the hospital immediately after first aid immobilization of the leg. Adhering to the physical therapy guidelines from the doctor is very important to avoid joint stiffness and muscle atrophy.