How do you fix a broken femur?
Physical therapy treatments focus on improving range of motion without putting excessive strain on the healing bone or ligaments. As the femur bone heals, muscle-stengthening exercises as well as range of motion exercises and balance training …
How long does it take to recover from a broken femur?
Apr 23, 2020 · The most common procedure involves the insertion of a metal pole (known as an intramedullary rod) into the center of the thigh bone. 3 This helps reconnect the two ends which are then secured with screws above and below the fracture. The intramedullary rod almost always remains in the bone but can be removed if needed.
Why are exercises for a femur fracture important?
Nov 22, 2017 · Reduction in pain levels by using heat or ice therapy Resuming motion in the hip, leg and back with exercise and stretching Improving strength with exercise to tone and firm muscles Stabilizing balance using weights, resistance bands or other devices Regaining walking ability Speed up healing
How is a femoral shaft fracture treated?
Mar 28, 2018 · Just take this femur fracture recovery case study, in which a patient required the placement of a rod for a fracture in her left femur. It wasn’t until after 11 weeks and very light water therapy that this patient could even begin unweighting therapy with the AlterG® Anti-Gravity Treadmill™. Unweighting for Femur Recovery and Pain Management
How long does it take to rehab from a broken femur?
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.Jun 14, 2020
How serious is breaking your femur?
A broken femur is a serious injury that requires immediate medical care. Broken femurs are treated with surgery and physical therapy. It can take months for your broken femur to heal. You can break your femur by being in a car crash, falling or being shot.Jan 18, 2022
Can you survive broken femur?
According to another study that looked at 100 elderly patients that suffered a femur break over a 10-year period: The overall mortality rate with a follow up of 9.8 years was 38% without co-morbidity. Mortality rates at 30 days was 6% Mortality rates at 6 months was 18%
Is it easy to break your femur?
The femur, the longest and strongest bone in the human body, is quite hard to break. Unless your bone has been weakened (most commonly the result of osteoporosis, medication side effects or cancer), it takes quite a lot of force to sustain a femur fracture.
What is the fastest way to heal a broken femur?
Home remedies to speed up repairTake protein supplements. As a large part of a bone is composed of protein, taking protein supplements can help the bone to rebuild and heal itself. ... Take antioxidants. ... Take mineral supplements. ... Take vitamin supplements. ... Take herbal supplements. ... Exercise. ... Avoid smoking.
How can I strengthen my leg after broken femur?
0:112:11The Best Gym Exercises to Recover From a Broken Femur - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can even go into single leg squat stances where you have the leg out in front as you feel betterMoreYou can even go into single leg squat stances where you have the leg out in front as you feel better that'll put more weight load here.
How long does it take for a femur bone to heal?
Most femoral fractures take about 4 to 6 months to heal completely, but you should be able to resume many activities before this time.
Can a 90 year old recover from a broken femur?
Conclusion: Surgery is the treatment of choice for patients aged 90 years and older with proximal femoral fracture. However, they have a lower rate of regaining pre-injury walking ability and a higher in-hospital death rate than younger patients.
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.Jun 17, 2018
How can I walk with a broken femur?
If the femur fracture does not require surgery, it is often treated with a cast or removable brace, and patients are typically advised not to put any weight on the leg for about 8 weeks. A physical therapist will help the patient to walk safely using crutches or a walker, or other assistive device.
How painful is it to break a femur?
Your femur is located in your thigh, running from your hip to your knee. It's long and strong and hurts like heck when you break it. In addition to being one of the most painful breaks, a broken femur can damage the large arteries in the leg and cause severe bleeding.
How long does pain last after femur fracture?
Your broken bone (fracture) was put into position and stabilized. You can expect some pain and swelling around the cut (incision) the doctor made. This should get better within a few days after your surgery. But it is normal to have some pain for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery and mild pain for up to 6 weeks after 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 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 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 pathologic fracture of the femur?
Pathological fracture of the femur is a debilitating complication in patients with advanced stage of malignancy. 1 . Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell.
Which bone is the strongest?
The femur, also known as the thigh bone, is one of the largest and strongest bones in the body extending from the hip joint all the way down to the knee joint. 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.
Where is the intramedullary rod?
The most common procedure involves the insertion of a metal pole (known as an intramedullary rod) into the center of the thigh bone. 3 This helps reconnect the two ends which are then secured with screws above and below the fracture. The intramedullary rod almost always remains in the bone but can be removed if needed.
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.
Why does my femur break?
Because the femur is so strong, it often takes a lot of force to break it. The cause is usually some type of high energy collisions such as a car or motorcycle accident. A severe sports injury could also have the effect for athletes of young people.
How long does it take to recover from a femur fracture?
Full recovery can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 12 months. Yet, many patients can start walking much earlier with the help of a physical therapist.
How to treat a hip injury?
Physical therapy can be helpful by addressing the following issues after injury or surgery: 1 Reduction in pain levels by using heat or ice therapy 2 Resuming motion in the hip, leg and back with exercise and stretching 3 Improving strength with exercise to tone and firm muscles 4 Stabilizing balance using weights, resistance bands or other devices 5 Regaining walking ability 6 Speed up healing 7 Return to daily activities by deciding on recovery goals and the safest methods to achieve them 8 Prevent future re-injury by engineering a home exercise program to strengthen and stretch muscles around the injured area
What is external fixation?
External fixation requires metal screws or pins to be placed into the bone. For patients who need temporary stability before the final surgery, this can add to the recovery times. Intramedullary nailing means inserting a specially designed metal rod to keep the nail and bone in proper position during healing.
How long does it take to recover from a femur fracture?
If it sounds terrible, that’s because it is: according to the American Physical Therapy Association, a femur fracture is the “break, crack, or crush injury of the thigh bone.” Recovery time for this painful injury can range from anywhere to four to six months.
What causes a femur to fracture?
Though there are many causes for femur fracture, including contact sports and high-impact exercise, this kind of injury can also result from pre-existing conditions such as osteoporosis, bone cysts, or even tumors.
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 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.
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 to do if you break your femur?
Studies show that once surgery has been completed, you can manage your pain with medication, ensure proper healing at home, rehab your leg with physical therapy, and prevent future injury . [2]
How to 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.
How long does it take to recover from a broken femur?
Running can be done after 3 weeks then gradual return to usual training regimen. After surgery, physical therapy, discussed below, is needed in order to gradually restore function to the thighs. Usually, range of motion exercises and stretches are done to give strength to the broken femur.
What is the procedure to fix a broken femur?
Internal fixation is the choice surgery done to treat a broken femur. In this type of surgery, a cut is made to open the fracture, then internal fixator or special metal devices are used to hold the bone in place. Afterwards, a rod or a large nail is placed in the center of the femur to support the bone until it heals.
How long does a femoral fracture last?
However, for open fracture, an emergency surgery is done immediately to prevent infection. Surgery for a broken femur can last up to three or four hours.
What are the phases of surgical treatment?
There are three phases of surgical treatment – acute, recovery and maintenance . The first priority when it comes to surgery is to rule out any other life threatening injuries and to stabilize the affected area. Acute Phase – surgical stabilization is necessary at this point as well as the restoration of limb alignment.
How is intramedullary nailing done?
During intramedullary nailing, metal rods are inserted into the marrow canal of the bones through a small incision. They are then screwed to the bone at both ends. This procedure keeps the bone in its correct position during healing. This surgery provides strong, stable and full-length fixation.
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.
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 to get rid of a swollen incision?
Gently pat it dry. DO NOT rub the incision or put creams or lotions on it. Sit on a shower stool to avoid falling while showering. DO NOT soak in a bathtub, swimming pool, or hot tub until your provider says it is OK. Change your dressing (bandage) over your incision every day.
How to check for infection in a wound?
Change your dressing (bandage) over your incision every day. Gently wash the wound with soap and water and pat it dry. Check your incision for any signs of infection at least once a day. These signs include more redness, more drainage, or the wound is opening up.
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.
What muscles are used to support the femur?
Leg muscles, such as the quadriceps and the hamstrings, using the leg press and wall-sits. All of these muscle groups play a critical role in supporting the femur. By building strength in these muscles, individuals can prevent a repeat femur fracture from occurring in the future.
What happens when a fractured leg is healed?
Once the fracture has healed, individuals will be able to bear weight on their leg. This means that other exercises can be performed and the muscle strength can be rebuilt. Several types of exercises will be taught to help regain function, mobility, and strength in the injured leg. These include:
How to prevent leg injury?
One of the most important goals of these exercises is to prevent future injuries from happening. By adding muscle strength around the injury site, stress is shifted from the bone to the muscles. This protects the bones in the leg from being broken. It will be important for individuals who have suffered this type of break to continue with an exercise program, targeting muscle groups such as the: 1 Abdominal muscles using sit-ups, leg lifts, and crunches. 2 Hip muscles, such as the adductors and abductors, using resistance cords and weight machines. 3 Leg muscles, such as the quadriceps and the hamstrings, using the leg press and wall-sits.
Why is it important to strengthen your muscles around an injury site?
One of the most important goals of these exercises is to prevent future injuries from happening. By adding muscle strength around the injury site, stress is shifted from the bone to the muscles. This protects the bones in the leg from being broken. It will be important for individuals who have suffered this type of break to continue with an exercise program, targeting muscle groups such as the:
How long does it take for a leg to heal from a sprain?
It will take several months for individuals to restore strength in their affected leg. During this time, there may be some mild pain and discomfort. Ice, heat, electrical stimulation, and cool-down exercises are essential for controlling the pain in the leg.
What are some exercises to increase muscular endurance?
Also, individuals should take advantage of cardio machines, such as bikes and ellipticals, to increase muscle endurance. These exercises need to be performed under the guidance of a trained professional.
What is range of motion?
These include: Range of Motion: One of the first exercises that people will work on involves a range of motion. First done without bearing weight, a physical therapist will help someone sit up in a chair or relax in bed.
How to improve range of motion after hip replacement?
While your therapist may measure the amount of movement in your hips, you may also be instructed to perform kinetic chain exercises that work your ankles, knees and hips through their range of motion at the same time. These exercises include bending your knee and hip joints back and forth, and moving your leg out to the side and back to the center of your body, to name a few.
How to strengthen the muscles around the hips?
Stabilization exercises are performed to help restore balance and strengthen the muscles surrounding your injury. You may be instructed to perform core stabilization exercises like bridging exercises that help strengthen the musculature around your hips to hold your hip in proper alignment, as well as the muscles of your abdomen, thighs and knees. To perform a bridge exercise, lie down on your back, lift your hips off the floor and support your weight while forming a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. These exercises help restore confidence in your strength following your injury, while simultaneously helping to restore balance and sense of body awareness.
Why do you have to exercise while standing?
The buoyancy of the water helps support your body weight to allow you to perform exercises that might be too painful when performed on dry land. Another benefit to exercising in a pool is that the water provides resistance as you move your hip and leg through their range of motion.
What is the strongest bone in the body?
View Work. Your thigh bone, or femur, is the largest bone in the human body and as such is also one of the strongest bones in your body. As we age and conditions like osteoporosis set in, your bones begin to weaken. A fall can break the top portion of your femur, resulting in what is colloquially known as a hip fracture.
How to strengthen your hips and thighs?
Strengthening Exercises. Following a period of immobilization to allow your bone to heal, your physical therapist may help you with strengthening exercises. These involve moving your hip and knee joints against resistance to restore the strength to your hip and thigh. The exercises often begin with simple muscular contractions to get your muscles ...
What is a hip fracture?
A fall can break the top portion of your femur, resulting in what is colloquially known as a hip fracture. Treatment for this condition often involves exercises to help you return to your previous activity level.
Who is Keith Strange?
Keith Strange. Keith Strange spent more than a decade as a staff writer for newspapers in the southeastern United States, winning numerous awards for his work. He has a B.S. in wellness/sports medicine from Averett University and completed graduate work in exercise physiology.
What is the best treatment for a fractured femur?
Physical Therapy Following a Femoral Fracture. Physical therapy can help with most fractures, but it is especially important if you have suffered a fracture of the femur, which runs from the hip to the knee. This incredibly strong bone typically requires significant force or direct trauma to break. A femoral fracture often requires surgery ...
What is the purpose of physical therapy?
A well-designed program of physical therapy can ensure a slow, safe and successful process of rehabilitation. A failure to heal properly can worsen the condition and delay your mobility.