Femoral Artery Damage with a Femur Fracture
Those who have sustained a serious bone fracture could be prone to suffering damage to major blood vessels. This is the case for individuals who have suffered a fracture of the femur. It is possible for a bone fragment to damage one of the nearby vessels, such as the femoral artery. Unfortunately, not everyone has good bone health.
Case Data on Bone Fractures in the Pediatric Population
A study was published by the National Institutes of Health on children who suffered bone fractures. According to the study:
- The researchers examined more than 100 children between the ages of 8 and 15 who had suffered a bone fracture.
- They categorized the traumatic event that had led to this fracture as mild or severe.
- The professionals noticed that those who had suffered a fracture as a result of mild trauma (such as a slip and fall injury) had weaker bones that were lower in bone density.
- Most importantly, those who had suffered a break with mild trauma were more likely to suffer a repeat bone fracture, as the bones in the rest of their skeleton were also weaker.
This means that these individuals could suffer a serious fracture of the femur, one of the largest bones in the body. One possible complication is the transection of the femoral artery, one of the largest blood vessels in the body.
Mechanism of Injury for Femoral Artery Transection
The femoral artery carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the leg. This is a high-pressure artery that will bleed quickly if torn. In a femur fracture, it is possible for the bones of the thigh to become displaced. These sharp fragments are prone to damaging nearby structures. This includes the femoral artery. Because of its size, any tear in the blood vessel could lead to a rapid amount of blood loss. Some of the signs and symptoms include:
- Intense pain in the thigh
- A rising heart rate
- Altered mental status and difficulty focusing
- Swelling of the thigh
- Obvious, frank bruising of the thigh
A femoral artery transection is a medical emergency and should be treated as such.
Importance of Emergency Treatment Following Femoral Artery Damage from a Femur Fracture
If an individual has torn his or her femoral artery. Emergency medical care is required. Some of the important parts of this treatment process include:
- Emergency surgery to stop the bleeding from the femoral artery.
- Administration of intravenous fluids and possible blood transfusions to replace lost blood volume.
- Provision of emergency medications, such as epinephrine, to maintain life-sustaining blood pressure and heartbeat.
This is a life-threatening injury and, if not addressed quickly, could lead to a leg amputation or even death. It is important for families to ask for help during this stressful time.
Watch YouTube Video: Fractures – Patient Story by LivingHealthyChicago. This video follows the story of a patient who broke her leg and how Dr. Gabriel Levi implanted an IM rod.
Contacting an Injury Lawyer in California
Families who have watched a loved one suffer a femur fracture likely have questions and concerns. During the recovery process, it is important to ask for help from an experienced injury lawyer. Some of the ways that a Sacramento femur fracture lawyer can help include:
- Helping families seek damages related to the femur fracture and its complications.
- Serving as an objective presence to help make decisions during a difficult time.
- Shifting a case to the courts if necessary.
Be sure to contact a California personal injury lawyer for assistance. Your and your family could be owed financial compensation for your injuries.
Femur Fracture Lawyers in Sacramento, CA
I’m Ed Smith, a femur fracture lawyer in Sacramento. A transection of the femoral artery following a fracture of the femur can lead to major complications. These could even prove to be life-threatening. If one of your loved ones has suffered serious complications following a broken leg, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum as well as an attorney in the Top One Percent.
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