تعريف
A femoral fracture is a break in the thigh bone, which is called the femur. It runs from the hip to the knee. It is the longest and strongest bone in the body. It usually requires a great deal of force to break the femur.
أسباب
A femoral fracture is usually caused by direct trauma to your femur. Trauma includes:
- السقوط
- ضربات
- الاصطدامات
- Severe twists
عوامل الخطر
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a femoral fracture. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
- التقدم في السن
- Postmenopausal osteoporosis
- انخفاض كتلة العضلات
- Certain diseases that weaken bones, such as osteoporosis or cancer
- Participation in certain contact sports, such as football
الأعراض
تشمل الأعراض ما يلي:
- Immediate and severe pain
- Swelling and bruising around the area of the break
- Inability to walk and/or limited range of motion of the knee or hip
- Deformity of the injured leg, such as shortening or abnormal twisting
التشخيص
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, physical activity, and how the injury happened. The injured area will also be examined. You may have x-rays to look for a break in the bone.
العلاج
Treatment will depend on the location and severity of your injury. Treatment involves:
- Putting the pieces of the bone back in position, which may require anesthesiaand/or surgery
- Keeping the pieces together while the bone heals
تشمل الأجهزة التي يمكن استخدامها لتثبيت العظام في مكانها أثناء الشفاء ما يلي:
- A cast (rarely used except in very young patients)
- صفيحة معدنية بها براغي (تتطلب عملية جراحية)
- قضيب أسفل منتصف العظم (يتطلب عملية جراحية)
- Metal pins that cross the bone, with a frame on the outside of the leg that holds the pins and the fractured bone in place (requires either general or local anesthesia)
Your doctor will order additional x-rays while the bone heals. This is to ensure that the bones have not shifted position.
Once home, follow your doctor’s discharge instructions.
تمارين
When your doctor decides you are ready, you will start range-of-motion and strengthening exercises. You may be referred to a physical therapist to assist you. Do not return to sports until your leg is fully healed and your thigh muscle strength is back to normal.
وقت الشفاء
A fractured femur is a serious injury that takes 3-6 months to heal.
الوقاية
To help prevent femoral fractures:
- Do not put yourself at risk for trauma to the femur.
- اتباع نظام غذائي غني بالكالسيوم وفيتامين د.
- Build strong muscles to prevent falls and to stay active and agile.
- Always wear a seatbelt when driving or riding in a car.
- ارتداء الحشو المناسب ومعدات السلامة عند المشاركة في الألعاب الرياضية أو الأنشطة.
- Femoral fracture has been linked to osteoporosis (thinned bones) in people over age 55. Be sure to find out if you have osteoporosis. Follow any treatment recommendations for this condition to help prevent further fractures.