Blood Clots After a Femur Fracture

Blood Clots Can Develop After a Femur Fracture

Blood clots after a femur fracture are a severe complication that could be life-threatening. There are many different ways that blood clots might form in the body. Some of the reasons why someone might develop a blood clot include:

• A traumatic injury led to serious damage to an artery or vein.
• Blood flow through a blood vessel becomes obstructed.
• The blood pools in a blood vessel due to prolonged immobility.

Two of the most common risk factors associated with the formation of blood clots is a femur fracture and a surgery procedure. Because of this, anyone who suffers a fractured femur should be aware that they might develop blood clots. If these clots go unnoticed, they could end up being fatal.

Deep Vein Thrombosis: Common Femur Fracture Blood Clots

One of the most common blood clots that might develop after a femur fracture is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is a blood clot that forms in one of the larger veins of the leg. When someone suffers a femur fracture, this injury could damage one of these deep veins, causing a DVT to appear. Some of the risk factors associated with a DVT include:

• Elderly age
• Having suffered from blood clots in the past
• Inheriting a genetic disorder that increases blood clotting
• Being overweight or obese
• Pregnancy
• Smoking

If someone has a DVT, this blood clot could break free and travel throughout the body. If the clot lodges in some regions of the body, it could obstruct blood flow to specific tissues which might be fatal. Some of the places a DVT might go include:

• The brain, causing a stroke
• The heart, causing a heart attack
• The lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism

Any of these clots could be fatal. Because of this, it is essential to diagnose blood clots as quickly as possible.

Diagnosing a Blood Clot

If someone has developed a blood clot following a femur fracture, several symptoms could develop. A few of these include:

• Pain in the leg that gets worse with movement
• Veins that are noticeably enlarged
• Skin that is red and tender
• Veins that feel “hard” or “cord-like”
• Swelling of the leg

The problem with this is that many people who have a fractured femur will have the same symptoms. Fortunately, there are diagnostic tests that can also help make the diagnosis. The most common test that the doctor will use is called a duplex ultrasound. This test is used to create a picture of the blood vessels, helping the doctor locate the blood clot. The good news is that this test is fast, non-invasive, and painless. If a blood clot isn’t seen, duplex ultrasound could find another cause of the symptoms.

Treatment of a Blood Clot

The most important treatment of a blood clot is to prevent it from happening in the first place. If people need surgery to repair their femur fracture, the doctor will take steps to reduce the chances of a blood clot developing. This could include:

• Using medications
• Applying compression stockings to the leg to keep the blood flow moving
• Operating as quickly and as safely as possible to minimize the amount of time that the patient is immobile

Sometimes, blood clots cannot be prevented. Once a clot has been diagnosed, the doctor might use medications called thrombolytics to bust the clot. Thrombolytics are potent medications that will dissolve the blood clot; however, they can also cause increased bleeding that could worsen certain injuries. If thrombolytic medicines is not an option, the doctor might also snake a wire into the blood vessel using image guidance. This wire will then attach itself to the blood clot so that the doctor can pull it out. During this procedure, there is a chance that the doctor might punch a hole in the blood vessel itself or damage nearby tissues. Every precaution is taken to minimize these risks.

If a loved one suffers serious injuries following a traumatic accident, it is also a good idea for families to discuss their case with a femur fracture lawyer in Sacramento. Count on the support of a compassionate attorney to assist with the recovery process.

Watch YouTube Video: Dr. Oz Shows How to Prevent Blood Clots. In this video, Dr. Oz demonstrates a few exercises you can do to help prevent blood clots from developing.

Femur Fracture Lawyers in Sacramento

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento femur fracture lawyer. Blood clots can be a serious and potentially fatal complication following a femur fracture. If you have suffered a femur fracture in a serious accident, call me as soon as possible at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.

I am honored to be a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and of the Top One Percent.

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