- Types of fracture in the femur
- How the treatment is done
- 1. External fixation
- 2. Intramedullary nail
- 3. Internal fixation
- 4. Arthroplasty
- How is recovery from surgery
- Possible fracture symptoms
The fracture of the femur occurs when a fracture occurs in the thigh bone, which is the longest and strongest bone in the human body. For this reason, for a fracture to arise in this bone, a lot of pressure and strength is required, which usually 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 usually the central region, known as the body of the femur, however, in the elderly, who have weakened bones, this type of fracture can also happen in the head of the femur, which is the region that articulates with the hip.
Most of the time, the hip fracture needs to be treated with surgery, to reposition the bone and even to place pieces of metal that help keep the bone in the correct place while it heals. Thus, it is possible that the person needs to stay in the hospital for a few days.
Types of fracture in the femur
Depending on where the bone breaks, the femur fracture can be divided into two main types:
- Femoral neck fracture: it 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 the weakening of the bone, it can happen due to a simple twist of the leg when walking, for example; Fracture of the femur body: it occurs in the central region of the bone and is more frequent 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 correct alignment or if it is 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 body of the femur, it is also common for them to be divided into a proximal, medial or distal fracture, depending on whether the break appears closer to the hip, in the middle of the bone or in the region near the knee.
How the treatment is done
In almost all cases of fracture of the femur, surgery is required, within 48 hours, to correct the break and allow healing to happen. However, the type of surgery can vary according to the type and severity of the fracture:
1. External fixation
In this type of surgery the doctor places screws through the skin to the places above and below the fracture, fixing the correct alignment of the bone, so that the fracture can begin to heal properly.
Most of the time, this is a temporary procedure, which is maintained until the person can have a more extensive repair surgery, but it can also be used as a treatment for simpler fractures, for example.
2. Intramedullary nail
This is one of the most used techniques to treat fractures in the region of the femur body and involves placing a special metal rod inside the bone. The nail is usually removed after healing is complete, which can take up to 1 year to happen.
3. Internal fixation
Internal fixation is usually done on more complicated fractures or 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 over the bone to keep it stabilized and aligned, allowing healing.
These screws can be removed as soon as healing is complete, but since further surgery is required, they are often kept in place for life, especially if they are not causing pain or limiting movement.
4. Arthroplasty
This is a less used type of surgery that is usually reserved for situations of fractures close to the hip that take time to heal or that are very complicated. In such cases, the doctor may suggest an 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 done.
How is recovery from surgery
The recovery time can vary a lot depending on the type of surgery done, however, it is common for the person to be hospitalized between 3 days to 1 week before being discharged and going home. In addition, as many fractures happen due to accidents, it may also take more time to treat other problems such as bleeding or wounds, for example.
The healing of the fracture usually takes between 3 to 9 months, and in that 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 limb movement, not only to improve blood circulation, but also to prevent loss of muscle mass and joint movement. Thus, the doctor usually recommends performing physical therapy.
Possible fracture symptoms
In most cases, the fracture of the femur causes extremely severe pain that allows you to identify that a fracture has occurred. However, when the fracture is very small, the pain can be relatively mild and, therefore, there are other symptoms that may indicate a fracture, such as:
- Difficulty moving the leg; More severe pain when placing the weight on the leg; Swelling of the leg or the presence of bruises.
In addition, it is possible that changes in the sensitivity of the leg may appear, and it may even appear tingling or burning sensations.
Whenever a fracture is suspected, it is very important to go quickly to the emergency room to do an X-ray and identify if there is really any break in the bones that needs to be treated. Generally, the earlier the fracture is repaired, the easier the bone is to heal.
