How long does it take for femur shaft fractures to heal?
Andrew Davis 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.
How do I know if my femoral shaft is broken?
What are the symptoms of a broken femur?
- difficulty moving the leg.
- inability to stand or walk.
- pain or swelling in the thigh, possibly with bruising.
- deformity (abnormal shape) of the thigh.
- bone pushing out through the skin — sign of a severe fracture.
Can a broken femur heal without surgery?
It is unusual for femoral shaft fractures to be treated without surgery. Very young children are sometimes treated with a cast. Most femur fractures are fixed within 24 to 48 hours. Sometimes it will be delayed until other life-threatening injuries or unstable medical conditions are stabilized.
How serious is a broken femur?
Complications of a fractured femur can be serious, even life threatening in some cases. If the fracture has broken through the skin, the possibility for infection is increased. Severe injuries with profuse bleeding may lead to circulatory collapse or shock.
How do you fix a broken femoral shaft?
Currently, the method most surgeons use for treating femoral shaft fractures is intramedullary nailing. During this procedure, a specially designed metal rod is inserted into the canal of the femur. The rod passes across the fracture to keep it in position.
Can you fully recover 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.
How do surgeons fix a broken femur?
In the most common surgery to repair a femur fracture, the surgeon inserts a rod or large nail into the center of the bone. This rod helps support the bone until it heals. The surgeon may also put a plate next to your bone that is attached by screws.
How long does it take to recover from a broken femur?
The majority of people who suffer a femur fracture receive specialized treatment in a long-term nursing or rehabilitation facility. Full recovery from a femur fracture can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 12 months; however, most people begin walking with the help of a physical therapist in the first day or two after injury and/or surgery.
What is the healing time for a broken femur?
The recovery time for a femur fracture varies based on the extent of the injury and the patient’s overall health. Surgery is the most common method of treating a femur fracture in the United States, and recovery from this procedure normally takes four to six months, according to MedlinePlus.
What are the symptoms of a femur fracture?
Thigh pain — Symptom Checker
What are the complications of a femur fracture?
Some of the common complications include, Nonunion of the fracture can lead to deformities and affect the gait of the individual. Thromboembolism (formation of a clot in vessel) is one of the most severe complications of femur fracture and can lead to sudden death. Infection is another common complication associated with the fracture of femur.