Femur Fracture Recovery
The recovery process following a femur fracture doesn’t stop once the bone has healed because the leg is going to feel extremely stiff. This happens because the muscles around the femur, such as the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, haven’t been used in several weeks. As a result, these muscles have undergone significant atrophy and need to be strengthened once again. This is where exercises play a critical role in helping someone complete the recovery process following a break of the femur bone. These exercises are crucial because not only do they reverse muscle atrophy, but they can also prevent someone from re-injuring their leg.
Immediately After Surgery
In some cases, a femur fracture will require surgical repair. This happens if the fracture is displaced, open, or if there are any associated injuries. After the surgery has been completed, the doctor will typically instruct the patient not to bear weight on the affected leg for about two months. Even without weight-bearing, some exercises can be performed.
Those who use an assistive walking device or a set of crutches can still do some exercises with the help of a physical therapist. These exercises will help people handle the crutches and walker more efficiently while the break is healing. After a couple of months, the doctor will probably repeat the x-ray and confirm that the fracture has healed. Then, the cast will be removed.
Once the Femur Fracture has Healed
Once the fracture has healed, individuals will be able to bear weight on their leg. This means that other exercises can be performed and the muscle strength can be rebuilt. Several types of exercises will be taught to help regain function, mobility, and strength in the injured leg. These include:
- Range of Motion: One of the first exercises that people will work on involves a range of motion. First done without bearing weight, a physical therapist will help someone sit up in a chair or relax in bed. Then, the leg will gradually be moved from side to side, back and forth to relieve the stiffness in the leg.
- Gradual Weight-Bearing: Once individuals are comfortable moving their leg, the next step will be to bear weight on the leg. While this might not feel like an exercise, these muscles haven’t had to endure weight in a couple of months. Therefore, the muscles will feel tired, and people will need to gradually increase the amount of weight that is placed on their injured leg. Over time, the strength in these fibers will return.
- Exercise Program: As individuals can walk on their leg, it will be time to return to the gym. There are a variety of exercises that will target the muscles in and around the leg. This could involve the use of resistance bands, weighted pulleys, and free weights that will improve muscular strength. Also, individuals should take advantage of cardio machines, such as bikes and ellipticals, to increase muscle endurance. These exercises need to be performed under the guidance of a trained professional.
It will take several months for individuals to restore strength in their affected leg. During this time, there may be some mild pain and discomfort. Ice, heat, electrical stimulation, and cool-down exercises are essential for controlling the pain in the leg.
Exercises to Prevent Future Injuries
One of the most important goals of these exercises is to prevent future injuries from happening. By adding muscle strength around the injury site, stress is shifted from the bone to the muscles. This protects the bones in the leg from being broken. It will be important for individuals who have suffered this type of break to continue with an exercise program, targeting muscle groups such as the:
- Abdominal muscles using sit-ups, leg lifts, and crunches.
- Hip muscles, such as the adductors and abductors, using resistance cords and weight machines.
- Leg muscles, such as the quadriceps and the hamstrings, using the leg press and wall-sits.
All of these muscle groups play a critical role in supporting the femur. By building strength in these muscles, individuals can prevent a repeat femur fracture from occurring in the future.
Watch YouTube Video: The Best Gym Exercises to Recover from a Broken Femur. Fitness expert Shane Freels provides some gym exercises to help with the recovery process following a fractured femur.
Sacramento Femur Fracture Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Femur Fracture Lawyer. A targeted exercise program plays a critical role in the recovery process. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a femur fracture following a serious accident, reach out to me at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 to receive free, friendly legal guidance and advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum & of the Top One Percent, a National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
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