How long does it take to recover from a broken femur?
Rehabilitation after femur fracture surgery is often a slow and cautious process. After surgery, the leg is put in a cast or set in a brace, for about 8 weeks. A physical therapist will work the patient to make sure that he or she is using crutches safely. The patient may not be able to bear weight on the leg for up to 12 weeks.
How fast to rebuild from broken femur?
Apr 01, 2022 · 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. If you are not wearing a leg brace or immobilizer, carefully wash your incision with soap and water when your provider says this is OK. Gently pat it dry.
What is the average healing time for broken femur?
Mar 28, 2018 · Unweighting for Femur Recovery and Pain Management Once he did, this patient was able to begin walking at 30% of his body weight at 1.5 to 2.0 mph and a 0% incline. A modest start, but a start nonetheless, especially considering the severity of the injury. Over time, this patient’s physical therapist applied more body weight in small increments.
What are the best exercises for a broken femur?
Use the good leg underneath the bad leg to control how far down the wall the leg will slide. Best Hamstring stretches: Sitting up on a smooth, flat surface extend your leg. You may have difficulty lowering the knee all the way down. Gently tightening the quadriceps muscles to press the leg down should provide a very good stretch.
When do you start physical therapy after 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 long does rehab take for broken femur?
What to Expect at Home. 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?
At some point, you may need physical therapy to restore strength and flexibility to your muscles. Doing your exercises as prescribed can improve your chances for a full recovery. Most femoral fractures take about 4 to 6 months to heal completely, but you should be able to resume many activities before this time.
When do you start weight bearing after femur fracture?
Introduction. Plate fixation for distal femoral fractures is a commonly used method of fracture stabilisation. Many orthopaedic surgeons traditionally do not allow their patients to weight bear for the first 6 weeks after surgery, fearing of loss of fracture reduction and metalwork failure.May 18, 2018
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 do you bend your knee after femur surgery?
After surgery, if you're sitting a lot in an upright position, your knee is naturally going to fall into a 90 degree angle. That's great! But in order to make sure your knee can bend without pain and with full range of motion later, you have to move your knee from a straight position to a bent position a lot.Sep 6, 2017
What are the 4 stages of bone healing?
There are four stages in the repair of a broken bone: 1) the formation of hematoma at the break, 2) the formation of a fibrocartilaginous callus, 3) the formation of a bony callus, and 4) remodeling and addition of compact bone.Aug 14, 2020
Does weight bearing help bones heal?
Weight-bearing is essential for bone healing in patients with autoimmune disease, fractures, and following orthopedic surgery. Low-intensity weight-bearing exercise has shown to be beneficial in bone healing over non-weight bearing exercises.May 9, 2021
What helps bones heal quickly?
Vitamins and minerals including calcium and Vitamin D are essential to bone health. 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.
Can I run after femur fracture?
If you develop a completed fracture you are done running for an extended time, and maybe forever. Part of healing will require rest and time, with a gradual resumption of weight bearing under the direction of your physician. In addition, you'll need to have adequate calories, vitamin D, calcium, and estrogen.Mar 28, 2011
What are the long term effects of a broken femur?
Long-term symptoms after fracture include muscular weakness, limited standing and walking, gait abnormalities, some intermittent pain, and inability to return to preinjury work. Surgical management is rarely needed to treat femoral stress fractures; however, surgical stabilization is recommended for recalcitrant cases.Oct 10, 2018
How do you sleep with a broken femur?
You should sleep lying flat on your back with your broken femur elevated above the level of your heart. Sleeping like this can keep your broken femur from swelling. As you recover, you'll likely want to move around your home on your own.Jan 18, 2022
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 happens when a fracture heals with angulation?
Once a bridge of bone has formed across the fracture the position of the fragments is set and will not change without surgery or re-fracture. This complication is very common where traction is the main method of treatment. It can occur with surgical treatment; fixing the fracture with malrotation is particularly common. The result of shortening is a permanent limp with one leg shorter than the other. If the fracture is malrotated the feet don't point in the correct direction and this also affects gait. If the fracture heals with an angle this tends to put uneven stress on the nearby joints and can lead to post-traumatic arthritis in the long term. There is often a combination of malalignments.
How does infection occur after a fracture?
An infected fracture occurs when bacteria seed to the fracture site and start to grow in the blood clot near the injury. This happens most commonly with open fractures because of contamination. It also occurs after surgery because the skin barrier is breached. Very rarely bacteria spread in the blood stream to the fracture site and cause an infection in a closed fracture which has not been operated on. When the bacteria invade the bone (osteomyelitis) they are difficult to eliminate. Avoiding infection is the major reason for non-operative treatment. The infection rate following surgery may be as high as 2% in modern hospitals and a good deal higher in developing medical systems. Infection in a fracture is difficult to deal with and may affect the long term outcome. As a result surgeons were very hesitant to operate on fractures. Nowadays the benefit from surgery (straight bones, rapid healing and recovery of function) is considered to outweigh the risks of infection. There have been advances in the prevention of infection and in its treatment. Antibiotics are routinely used during and after most operations on fractures.
Can you break more than one leg bone?
Because it takes a lot of force to break a thigh bone it is not unusual for there to be more than one break in the leg. This may be obvious like a broken shin bone or it may be difficult to distinguish from the shaft fracture, like a hip fracture. Fractures of the knee cap are quite commonly associated, as are fractures and dislocations of the hip socket. Fractures of the bones of the foot may also occur with thigh bone fractures and may be inconspicuous enough to be missed in the initial assessment.
Can a fractured thigh bone cause arthritis?
This is not common following isolated thigh bone fractures as the joints are not directly affected. If there is significant malunion or stiffness there may be a risk of arthritis in the long term.
