What is a femur fracture?

If you are a pedestrian or a motorcyclist and you are in an accident involving a car or a truck, you might suffer serious injuries, including a fractured femur. Pedestrians and motorcyclists are more susceptible to injury in these types of accidents because they do not have the added protection of a car or truck body around them.

Types of fractures

The femur is the main bone in the top of your leg. It takes a great deal of force to break the femur, and motor vehicle accidents are the top cause of femur fractures. Hip fractures are common among older adults in particular. Other parts of the femur may be broken as well. A knee fracture is when there is a break at the end of the femur where it connects to the knee. A femur may be partially or completely broken, and in some cases, a fracture is accompanied by damage to ligaments, blood vessels and muscles. There may be multiple breaks. If the injury is a crushing type, this could cause the bone to splinter. A femur injury could also push the bone through the skin, increasing the risk of infection.

Treatment of femur fractures

Treatment for these fractures varies depending on the type and severity of the injury. A cast, crutches and rest may be sufficient for healing as long as there is no displacement. However, in some cases, screws and rods may need to be used to put the broken pieces of the bone back together. Antibiotics may be necessary if there is a potential for infection. Over the longer term, people may require physical therapy and exercise to learn to walk more easily and rebuild muscle strength.

If you suffer a femur injury or any other type of injury in a motor vehicle accident, you may be eligible for compensation from the driver who caused the accident. Since the period of recovery for a fractured femur and other serious injuries may be long, this compensation can be important for covering medical expenses and other costs.