The breaking of the femur is a devastating injury at any age, but it is particularly dangerous for seniors over the age of 65. The femur is the longest bone in the body and it is located in the lower leg. Femur breaks/fractures are most commonly found in the hip, however they can also occur in the lower extremities in certain situations.

What happens when an elderly person breaks their femur?

Incorrectly positioned femurs can result in one leg becoming significantly shorter than the other, which can lead to hip or knee discomfort many years later if the limb is not corrected. In addition, improper alignment of the femur bone can be uncomfortable. Damage to the periphery. The muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves of the leg may also be injured as a result of the break.

Is a femur break life-threatening?

Caution should be exercised since a broken femur can be fatal. It is possible to die after suffering a femur fracture as a result of complications such as blood clots, pneumonia, or infection. There may be localized swelling in the legs or groin, as well as redness and soreness to the touch, which indicate a life-threatening injury.

How long does it take for a femur to heal in the elderly?

The majority of femoral fractures heal fully in 4 to 6 months, however you should be able to return to most of your normal activities before this time frame.

How do you treat a broken femur in elderly?

Direct weight bearing and as minimal delay in operational treatment as possible are extremely important for elderly patients who are undergoing surgery. The treatment of femoral neck fractures includes osteosynthesis, complete hip arthroplasty, and hemiarthroplasty, but the treatment of intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures necessitates the use of intramedullary nails.

Can a 90 year old survive a broken femur?

When a proximal femoral fracture occurs in someone over the age of 90, surgical intervention is the preferred treatment option for them. They, on the other hand, have a poorer rate of restoring pre-injury walking capacity and a greater likelihood of in-hospital death as compared to younger patients.

How long do you stay in hospital after femur surgery?

Intramedullary nailing, open reduction and internal fixation, arthroplasty, or other final fixation of a femur fracture were all options for treatment. The key outcome measure employed by the researchers was the duration of time spent in the hospital. The results revealed that the average length of stay for patients was 6.43 days.

How much force does it take to break a femur?

If you’re seeking for information on how much force it takes to shatter a section of your bone, the average human femur breaks with around 4,000 newtons of force. You should not, however, rush out and begin exerting pressure on femurs, just to become enraged with us when things do not shatter properly.

How long does broken femur surgery take?

Special screws or nails are used to keep the bones in the precise position while the surgery is being performed. This procedure takes between 2 and 4 hours.

Can you bleed to death from a broken femur?

With the exception of pelvic trauma, fracture of the femur is the only fracture that can result in acute life-threatening bleeding.

How do doctors fix a broken femur?

Most femur fractures are repaired by placing a rod or big nail into the middle of the bone, which is known as open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).This rod aids in the stability of the bone while it heals.A plate that is linked to your bone by screws may also be placed adjacent to your bone by the surgeon.Fixation devices are sometimes mounted to a frame that is located outside of your leg.

What are the complications of femur fracture?

In adults, midshaft femur fractures can result in life-threatening complications and injuries that include bleeding, internal organ damage, wound infection, fat embolism, and adult respiratory distress syndrome, among other things.

Do you need a cast for a broken femur?

The majority of femoral shaft fractures require surgical repair. Treatment for femoral shaft fractures that do not require surgery is quite rare. A cast may be used to treat very young children in various instances.

What is the fastest way to heal a broken femur?

How to get a bone fracture to heal as quickly as possible

1. The care of fractures includes closure reduction (alignment of the bones using manipulation or traction), immobilization (with the use of a splint or cast), and rehabilitation (through physical therapy).
2. Physical therapy is used to help a person restore strength and normal function in an injured region.