Femur Fracture Recovery Process
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. Once a bone fracture has been diagnosed, the job is far from over. Not only does the fracture need to be set but the recovery process could be extensive depending on the type, location, and severity of the bone or femur fracture.
Does the Femur Fracture Need Surgery?
Once imaging has been used to diagnose the fracture, the first step in the recovery process is to decide whether or not the femur fracture requires surgery. The imaging studies, which may include x-rays, CT scans, or a MRI, will indicate to the medical professional whether or not there has been a displacement of the bone fracture. If it has been displaced, surgery might be necessary if the fracture cannot be reduced in a closed method. Once the bone has been placed (with or without surgery), the leg will be immobilized to give the fracture time to heal. Depending on the severity of the fracture, this could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
Progression to Weight Bearing
Once a bone fracture has been set and immobilized, it will take some time before the leg can support the weight. Over time, the bone cells will regenerate and the integrity of the bone will start to approach its healthy state. While some small fracture repairs may be able to start bearing weight soon after the leg has been immobilized, other patients may have severe fractures that cannot support weight for some time. All patients should follow the advice of their medical professional to ensure they don’t worsen the injury. Regardless, it is important to keep the leg mobile in order to encourage blood circulation even if the leg cannot support weight initially. This will also keep the leg from becoming stiff.
Pain Management After a Fracture
People who have had traumatic injuries, such as those sustained, in an auto accident, know that these injuries can be painful. Pain management should be discussed between the physician and the patient to find a regimen that works without over-medicating someone. Most doctors will decide to start low and go slow, meaning that patients will first try over the counter pain medications before progressing to something like narcotics. This will help to keep the pain at bay without having to risk dangerous side effects.
Physical Therapy
Most patients who have a femur fracture will lose strength in their leg while they are recovering. This muscle tissue must be built up in order for people to walk, run, and engage in physical activity once the recovery process is finished. Sessions will consist of various stretches and exercises to improve both strength and mobility in an injured body part. This rehabilitation process will be different for everyone and their plans will be discussed on a case by case basis.
Attorney Ed Smith
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. Depending on the type, location, and severity of the femur fracture, the recovery process could be extensive. Those who are recovering from a fracture of the femur should reach out to me at my office number, (916) 921-6400, for friendly and free advice. For visitors who are calling me from beyond the Sacramento area, my office does have a toll-free line people are welcome to call at (800) 404-5400.
I have been inducted as a part of the California group of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This is a collection made up of experienced legal attorneys who have been listed with some of the top trial lawyers in the United States. The lawyers of our group have both earned verdicts and settled cases which have been worth over $1 Million dollars.
I encourage my visitors to look over my prior verdicts and settlements.
Many of my prior customers have written informative reviews on Avvo, Yelp, and Google.
Image Source: used with permission through the Creative Commons version 3.0 Share-Alike Unported license. Found on Wikimedia Commons.
:dr ab [CS cv