femur fracture in Tunisia

Femur Anatomy

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 daily tasks much more difficult because it's one of the main bones used for walking.

Diagnosis of a Broken Femur

In most cases, your doctor will start with an X-ray. If more information is needed, they may also order a CT scan (computed tomography). Before recommending specific treatment, your doctor will determine what type of break you have. The most common types are:
Transverse fracture. The break is a straight horizontal line.
Oblique fracture. The break has a slanted line.
Spiral fracture. The break has a line that wraps around the shaft like the stripes on a barber pole or candy cane.
Comminuted fracture. The bone is broken into three or more pieces.
Open fracture. Bone fragments protrude through the skin.
Open fracture. A wound penetrates down to the broken bone.

How is a Fractured Femur Treated?

Because the femur is such a strong bone, a broken femur (excluding hip fractures) is rare. The healing process typically takes up to six months, going through four phases:
The body begins the healing process.
The body undergoes inflammation.
The body regenerates with new bone growth.
The body remodels, with mature bone being replaced by newly formed bone.
The majority of broken femurs require surgery and medication.

Surgical Treatment of Broken Femur

There are different surgeries, internal or external, to keep bones in place while they heal. 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 in place.

Post-operative Medication

Before and after surgery, your doctor can help you manage your pain with over-the-counter and prescription medications, such as:
Acetaminophen.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Gabapentinoids.
Muscle relaxants.
Opioids.
Topical pain relievers.

Are There Complications with Fractured Femurs?

Complications can occur with femur fractures:
Proper Alignment: If the femur is not properly positioned, it's possible for the leg to become shorter than the other and may cause hip or knee pain years later. Poor alignment of the femur can also be painful.
Peripheral Damage: The break can also injure the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves in the leg.
Surgical Complications: Some complications related to surgery include infection and blood clots.

Conclusion After Femur Fracture

A broken femur will typically have a major effect on your life, but only temporarily. Surgeries are commonly effective and people are usually able to fully heal from a broken femur. In the majority of broken femurs, patients return to a normal lifestyle.