A fractured femur is not to be taken lightly, but many people who suffer this particular injury are unaware of what exactly it is they’re going through and what to do about it. Orthopaedic Medical Group of Tampa Bay is here to help you know the signs and when to seek a surgeon near you. Understand the risks of delaying treatment so you can be proactive in your recovery.
Evaluating the Severity of a Fractured Femur
The femur (also known as your thigh bone) is crucial for standing, walking, running, and jumping. When it’s fractured, you can’t delay seeking appropriate care or you may risk more serious injury. Broken femurs can happen from falling, sustaining a car crash, or taking an impact from physical activity. Elderly patients are especially susceptible to broken bones. Regardless of how you received your injury or how old you are, femur fractures should always be treated with urgency.
Learn more > What Is a Fracture?
Possible Risks of Delaying Medical Attention For a Broken Femur
Seeking immediate medical attention for a femur fracture is critical for plenty of reasons:
1. You May Go Into Shock
It doesn’t take much for the body to go into shock. A fractured femur can result in excruciating pain that may cause the mind to dissociate from the stress. When this happens at the wrong time such as while you are operating a vehicle, it can lead to more devastating consequences.
2. The Fracture Can Spread to Your Hip
Fractures that are located toward the top of the femur can affect the hip area. If you are suffering from a bone condition like osteoporosis, a fractured femur can ultimately lead to a broken hip if not treated with urgency.
3. Your Knees Can Also Sustain Damage
Likewise, a fracture toward the bottom of the femur can affect your knee joint. Delaying treatment for your femur may end in you seeking treatment for both areas instead of just the one.
4. Fractures Can Lead to Blood Loss
Depending on the severity of the fracture, you may suffer from severe blood loss (both external and internal). Internal blood loss may be more difficult to self-diagnose at the time of injury which is why it’s important to seek immediate medical treatment.
5. Nerve Damage May Soon Follow a Fracture
It’s entirely possible for a femur fracture to impede on neighboring nerves. Any sort of damage to the nerves near the femur can result in numbing or a tingling sensation in the leg that can worsen by the minute. If you wait too long, your leg can become weak and practically unusable.
6. Fractures Can Limit Mobility and Induce Complications
It’s a natural instinct to limit movement when facing painful damage like a fracture, but refraining from moving for too long can have adverse effects like blood clots which can easily turn into a serious medical emergency.
7. Rapid Swelling Can Damage Surrounding Tissues
Fractures often lead to swelling, and when swollen parts put pressure on muscles and tissue, you can face even more damage. It’s better to respond to femur fractures as soon as possible than to risk having to treat multiple areas of the body.
How Our Surgeons Treat Femur Fractures
The moment you come to us with a fractured femur, we work promptly and diligently to address the issue. We start with a thorough diagnosis followed by the best type of surgery to treat your injury. After your surgery, we will guide you during recovery with our team of licensed physical therapists. Meet our surgeons and know that you’re in good hands!
Don’t Delay! Contact Orthopaedic Medical Group to Schedule a Consultation For Fractures
We know how to treat femur fractures with comprehensive surgery and recovery options here at Orthopaedic Medical Group of Tampa Bay. Give your local office a call for reliable orthopaedic care near you.
