A femur fracture occurs when a fracture occurs in the thigh bone, which is the longest and strongest bone in the human body. For this reason, a lot of pressure and force is required for a fracture to occur in this bone, which generally happens during a high-speed traffic accident or a fall from a great height, for example.
The part of the bone that breaks most easily is the central region, known as the body of the femur, however, in the elderly, who have weaker bones, this type of fracture can also happen in the head of the femur, which is the region that breaks. articulates with the hip.
Most of the time, a hip fracture needs to be treated with surgery, to reposition the bone and even place pieces of metal to help keep the bone in the correct place while it heals. Therefore, it is possible that the person will need to stay in the hospital for a few days.
Possible fracture symptoms
The main symptoms of a femur fracture are:
- Difficulty moving the leg;
- Site deformity;
- More intense pain when putting weight on the leg;
- Swelling of the leg or presence of bruises.
In addition, it is possible that changes in the sensitivity of the leg may appear, and tingling or burning sensations may even appear.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of a femur fracture must be made by an orthopedist by observing the signs and symptoms presented by the person, evaluating the region and imaging tests, such as X-rays or computed tomography.
Consult the nearest orthopedist to diagnose the fracture and begin the most appropriate treatment:
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Main causes
Femur fractures can be a consequence of osteoporosis, due to the greater fragility of the bones, and are more common in women and older people. Furthermore, this type of fracture can be caused by falls from a great height or serious accidents.
Types of femur fracture
Depending on the location of the bone where the break occurred, femur fractures can be divided into two main types:
- Femoral neck fracture: appears in the region that connects to the hip and is more common in the elderly due to the presence of osteoporosis. Since it happens due to weakening of the bone, it can happen due to a simple twist of the leg when walking, for example;
- Femoral body fracture: occurs in the central region of the bone and is more common in young people due to traffic accidents or falls from a great height.
In addition to this classification, fractures can also be classified as stable or displaced, depending on whether the bone maintains the correct alignment or becomes misaligned. They can also be called transverse or oblique, depending on whether the fracture occurs in a horizontal line along the bone or if it appears in a diagonal line, for example.
In the case of fractures of the femoral body, it is also common for them to be divided into proximal, medial or distal fractures, depending on whether the break occurs closer to the hip, in the middle of the bone or in the region close to the knee.
How the treatment is carried out
In almost all cases of femur fracture, surgery is necessary within 48 hours to correct the break and allow healing to occur. However, the type of surgery may vary depending on the type and severity of the fracture:
1. External fixation
In this type of surgery, the doctor places screws through the skin to places above and below the fracture, fixing the correct alignment of the bone, so that the fracture can begin to heal correctly.
Most of the time, this is a temporary procedure, which is maintained until the person can have more extensive repair surgery, but it can also be used as a form of treatment for simpler fractures, for example.
2. Haste intramedular
This is one of the most used techniques to treat fractures in the femur body region and involves placing a special metal rod inside the bone. The rod is normally removed after healing is complete, which can take up to 1 year to happen.
3. Internal fixation
Internal fixation is typically performed in more complicated fractures or fractures with multiple breaks in which it is not possible to use an intramedullary nail. In this method, the surgeon applies screws and metal plates directly to the bone to keep it stabilized and aligned, allowing healing.
These screws can be removed once healing is complete, but as new surgery is required, they are often left in place for life, especially if they are not causing pain or limiting movement.
4. Arthroplasty
This is a less commonly used type of surgery that is normally reserved for situations involving fractures close to the hip that take a long time to heal or are very complicated. In these cases, your doctor may suggest arthroplasty, in which the hip joint is completely removed and replaced with an artificial prosthesis.
See more about this type of surgery, what recovery is like and when it is performed.
What is recovery like from surgery?
Recovery time can vary greatly depending on the type of surgery performed, however, it is common for the person to be hospitalized for between 3 days and 1 week before being discharged and going home. Furthermore, as many fractures occur due to accidents, it may also take more time to treat other problems such as bleeding or wounds, for example.
Fracture healing usually takes between 3 to 9 months, during which time it is recommended to avoid activities that place a lot of weight on the affected leg.
Although intense physical exercise cannot be performed, it is very important to maintain movement of the limb, not only to improve blood circulation, but also to prevent the loss of muscle mass and joint movement. Therefore, the doctor usually recommends physical therapy.
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