how long does a distal femur take to heal

Full Answer

How long does it take to recover from a femur fracture?

The recovery from a femur fracture depends on the severity of the fracture. Most of the femur fractures heal within 3 to 6 months. But if an open fracture or the bone is broken into pieces or the patient consumes tobacco products, the fracture takes more time to heal.

What is the treatment for a distal femur fracture?

The distal femur fracture on the left has not broken the weightbearing part of the bone. The fracture on the right, however, has broken the joint surface into two pieces. Nonsurgical treatment options for distal femur fractures include: Skeletal traction.

What are the long-term effects of a distal femur fracture?

Long-term issues after distal femur fractures can include failure of the fracture to heal. This can cause pain, weakness, and deformity of the knee. If this occurs, it is very important to be evaluated by your treating physician, and likely will require more surgery.

How long does it take for a broken bone to heal?

The healing process typically takes up to six months, going through four phases: The body starts the healing process. The body experiences inflammation. The body regenerates with new bone growth.

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How long does it take to walk after a broken femur?

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.

How is a distal femur fracture treated?

The distal femur can be fixed with metal plates and screws or intramedullary nails. If the break involves the joint or is around a total knee replacement it is usually fixed with metal plates and screws placed through incisions on the side of the leg. Surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours.

Can a femur fracture heal in 4 weeks?

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 long after femur surgery can I bend my knee?

Within 7 to 10 days after your knee replacement, you should be able to get your knee entirely straight/full extension (Fig. 1) (no space between the back of your knee and the table) and you should be able to bend/flex your knee to at least 90 degrees (Fig. 2). 90 degrees is the same thing as a right angle.

Is a distal femur fracture serious?

This can cause pain, weakness, and deformity of the knee. If this occurs, it is very important to be evaluated by your treating physician, and likely will require more surgery. Figure 8: Failure of the plates and screws causing a deformity of the leg.

How can I make my broken femur heal faster?

A healthy diet is one full of vegetables, fruits, lean protein and water. In particular, calcium, vitamin D and protein will be important during the bone healing process, so be sure you're focusing on food sources rich in these nutrients, including dark, leafy greens, broccoli, fish, meat, yogurt, nuts and seeds.

How do I know if my femur is healing?

Your doctors may see signs of healing on x-rays about 6 weeks after surgery, but it normally takes 3 months or more for the femur to fully heal. If your femur doesn't heal, you may need another surgery to help the bone heal. This surgery would usually include placing additional hardware and may require bone grafting.

Is walking good for a broken femur?

Is walking after a femur fracture impossible? No. Walking after a femur fracture is a goal that is typically achieved within the first few weeks after surgery. You will need a walker or crutches to walk at the beginning of your rehabilitation until you build enough strength.

Should you walk on a fractured 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 long is rehab after femur surgery?

The majority of people who suffer a femur fracture will need specialized treatment in a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility. Full recovery from a femur fracture can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 12 months.

Can you sleep on your side after femur surgery?

Sleep on your back with a pillow between your knees. Avoid crossing your surgical leg across the middle of your body. Sleep on your non-operative side with pillows between your legs. Avoid bending your knees.

When can I start weight bearing after femur surgery?

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.

Can a femur fracture heal without surgery?

Femur fractures that are simple, short cracks in the bone usually do not require surgery. However, fractures that break completely through the bone, or cause the bone to be displaced or crushed, require immediate surgery.

How do you immobilize a distal femur fracture?

Long leg splintage is a useful technique for temporary immobilization of a fracture involving the distal femur. It can be used in the emergency room to immobilize the limb of a patient with an isolated injury. It can also be used as a temporary aid to fracture stabilization in the multiple injured patient.

Can you walk with a fracture in your femur?

Can I walk on a broken femur? If you have a broken femur, you won't be able to put weight on your injured leg.

How do you treat a broken femur without surgery?

There are two main types of nonsurgical treatments for a femur fracture. The patient can be put on bed rest, with weights and pulleys creating traction; or the patient can be placed in a cast that extends from the rib cage to the toes.

How long does it take to recover from a distal femur fracture?

Depending on several factors — such as your age, general health, and the type of fracture you have — it may take a year or more of rehabilita tion before you are able to return to all everyday activities.

Why is distal femur surgery good?

Because of newer techniques and special materials, the results of surgical treatment are good, even in older patients who have poor bone quality. Timing of surgery. Most distal femur fractures are not operated on right away — unless the skin around the fracture has been broken (open fracture).

What is a distal femur fracture?

Distal femur fractures vary. The bone can break straight across (transverse fracture) or into many pieces (comminuted fracture). Sometimes these fractures extend into the knee joint and separate the surface of the bone into a few (or many) parts. These types of fractures are called intra-articular. Because they damage the cartilage surface of the bone, intra-articular fractures can be more difficult to treat.

What is a fractured thigh bone?

A fracture is a broken bone. Fractures of the thighbone that occur just above the knee joint are called distal femur fractures. The distal femur is where the bone flares out like an upside-down funnel.

Why are intra articular fractures more difficult to treat?

Because they damage the cartilage surface of the bone, intra-articular fractures can be more difficult to treat. (Left) A transverse fracture across the distal femur. (Center) An intra-articular fracture that extends into the knee joint.

How to tell if a fracture is broken?

X-rays. The most common way to evaluate a fracture is with x-rays, which provide clear images of bone. X-rays can show whether a bone is intact or broken. They can also show the type of fracture and where it is located within the femur. To make sure no other breaks are missed, your hip and ankle joints will also be x-rayed.

How long does it take for a fractured knee to heal?

This may require as much as 3 months or more of healing before weightbearing can be done safely. During this time, you will need crutches or a walker to move around. You may also wear a knee brace for additional support.

How long does it take for a distal femur to heal?

Most distal femur fractures are treated with surgery. The broken bone will take a minimum of 2 months to heal. Some can take more than 6 months to heal. Surgery may take place anywhere from 1-5 days after your injury. However, it may be delayed even further if your leg is too swollen or you are not healthy enough for surgery. Rarely, the leg is placed in an "external fixator" (pins drilled into the bone and connected by bars that are outside of your skin) to get your bones lined up, decrease your pain, and let you move around more until your swelling goes down enough for surgery.

What happens if you have a distal femur fracture?

Long-term issues after distal femur fractures can include failure of the fracture to heal. This can cause pain, weakness, and deformity of the knee. If this occurs, it is very important to be evaluated by your treating physician, and likely will require more surgery.

How to tell if a distal femur fracture is broken?

You may see or feel a bump where the bone is broken, and your injured leg may appear shorter than the other. When you see a doctor, they will take x-rays to see if your bone is broken. A CT scan is often performed as well, to better understand the fracture pattern. Often you will be placed in a knee immobilizer to provide stability for your leg and make it hurt less. People are typically admitted to the hospital for definitive treatment.

What is the distal femur?

The distal femur is the bottom part of your thigh bone. It is a trapezoidal shaped bone that makes up the top of your joint and sits just behind your knee cap. Your knee is the largest weight-bearing joint in the body. The end of the bone is covered with a smooth surface called articular cartilage. This cartilage cushions the knee joint and allows for your knee to bend. Strong muscles in the front of your knee and thigh (quadriceps) and the back of your knee and thigh (hamstrings) allow you to bend and straighten your knee.

What percentage of fractures are in the bottom of the thigh?

Fractures of the bottom part of your thigh bone (distal femur fractures) are not common; they make up only about 0.5 percent of all fractures. Since this bone is very strong in younger people, it takes a lot of force to break it (such as a motor vehicle crash), while the weaker bone of an elderly person can break after a ground level fall. ...

How long does it take for swelling to go down after a leg surgery?

This may take many months to improve. After surgery, you may have numbness around the scar and your leg may be very swollen. The swelling may continue for months or it may never completely go away.

Why do you need a CT scan for a fractured knee?

A CT scan is often performed as well, to better understand the fracture pattern. Often you will be placed in a knee immobilizer to provide stability for your leg and make it hurt less . People are typically admitted to the hospital for definitive treatment.

How long does it take for a broken femur to heal?

6-8 weeks : Generally broken bones can take on average 6 weeks to heal but this can vary to some degree. The femur being encased in a thick muscular layer is very vascular so does tend to heal well. Would expect it be healed 6-8 weeks.

How long does a fractured vertebrate take to heal?

6 weeks- 3 months: The patients should be improving by 6 weeks. If not, then surgery (vertebral augmentation) can be very helpful. http://www.dfineinc.com/patients/index.html.

How long does it take to heal a femur fracture?

Femur fractures generally require surgical repair followed by several weeks of rehabilitation and physical therapy. Dislocations of the hip could require surgery depending on how severe the dislocation is. Physical therapy is almost always required.

How long is a femur?

The femur of an adult male is about 19 inches long and a bit under an inch in diameter. The proximal end of the femur (the part closest to the heart) is the head of the femur.

How to tell if a hip fracture is a dislocation?

Hip dislocation occurs when the head of the femur is pulled away from the acetabulum (the socket in which the head of the femur rests). It is very difficult to identify the difference between a hip fracture (a broken head or neck of the femur) and a hip dislocation. Some healthcare providers ascribe fractures or dislocations depending on whether the patient's leg is rotated inwardly or outwardly after an injury. In reality, there is no way to tell the difference between a hip fracture or a hip dislocation other than with an X-ray.

What is the lower trochanter?

Below the lesser trochanter is the gluteal tuberosity, which is where the gluteus maximus is attached. The main shaft of the femur is known as the body of the femur.

What is the largest bone in the human body?

Associated Conditions. Rehabilitation. The femur is the largest bone in the human body. It is commonly known as the thigh bone (femur is Latin for thigh) and reaches from the hip to the knee. A human male adult femur is about 19 inches long and weighs a little more than 10 ounces. The femur is extremely hard and not easy to break.

Why is it so hard to fracture a femur?

It's usually very difficult since the femur is such a strong bone. Fractures are usually caused by a high-impact injury, such as falling from a height or a car accident. A fracture caused by a low-impact hit may indicate weaker bones due to a medical condition, such as osteoporosis. 2

What is the proximal end of the femur?

The proximal end of the femur (the part closest to the heart) is the head of the femur. The head of the femur is a ball that makes up part of the hip joint. It allows the leg to move at all angles. Below the head of the femur is the neck and the greater trochanter.

How long does it take for a broken femur to heal?

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:

How to heal a broken femur?

Following a femur break, once the bone is set back into its proper place and is stable, your doctor will most likely recommend physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the bone. Exercises to strengthen the thigh will also help with the return to flexibility and normal function of the leg.

Why is my femur so strong?

The femur is a very large, strong bone that is difficult to break. A broken femur is usually caused by a severe accident; vehicle accidents are one of the primary causes. Older adults can fracture their femur from a fall because their bones tend to be weaker.

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.

What happens if you don't set your femur properly?

If the femur is not set properly, there’s a chance the leg will become shorter than the other one and may cause hip or knee pain many years later. Poor alignment of the femur bone may also be painful.

What is a comminuted fracture?

Comminuted fracture. The bone is broken into three or more pieces.

Basic Anatomy

Mechanism and Epidemiology

Initial Treatment

General Treatment

• Most distal femur fractures are treated with surgery. The broken bone will take a minimum of 2 months to heal. Some can take more than 6 months to heal. Surgery may take place anywhere from 1-5 days after your injury. However, it may be delayed even further if your leg is too swollen or you are not healthy enough for surgery. Rarely, the leg is pla...

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Postoperative Care

Long Term