Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. The medical community divides the femur into multiple different regions and a fracture can occur in any of these areas. There is a greater trochanter on the outside and a lesser trochanter on the opposite side. A bone fracture between the greater and lesser trochanter is termed an intertrochanteric fracture of the femur and has the potential for some dangerous complications.
Mechanism of Injury
This is a traumatic injury that can occur in both the elderly and young patients. While young patients typically require a high energy traumatic event, such as an auto accident, elderly patients typically will suffer this injury with lower-energy events, such as a slip and fall injury. This is because elderly patients often suffer from osteoporosis which makes it easier to suffer a femur fracture.
Treatment of an Intertrochanteric Femur Fracture
Imaging is the first step as it must be determined whether or not the fracture has been displaced. Once the bones have been immobilized and start the healing process, early weight bearing will be important as this will increase the chance for regaining function and mobility while also reducing the rate of urinary tract infections and pneumonia.
Complications may Occur
Complications and comorbidities are possible with this type of fracture. The most notable complication is malunion, which results when the fracture is not diagnosed and repaired on time. A delay of more than one day in repair increases the risk for other complications.
Other Structures are at Risk
The nerves that provide the motor and sensory function to the thigh and lower leg run through this region. If there are bone fragments that are free to move, these can damage nerves and blood vessels in the area, resulting in a loss of function in the leg.
Differential Diagnosis
There are several other diagnoses that should be considered with this injury. Among the other possibilities are:
- Femoral head fracture
- Femoral shaft fracture
- Femoral neck fracture
- Hip Fracture
- Fracture of either malleolus
Injury Prognosis
The injury prognosis depends on the age of the patient and how quickly the bones are put back into place. Younger patients with nondisplaced fractures have an improved prognosis over their elderly, displaced counterparts.
Surgery is Possible
Surgery is always going to depend on whether or not the fracture has been displaced. If it has, surgery will be necessary to place the bones back into their proper location.
Contact an Experienced Femur Fracture Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. Those who have suffered a broken leg due to the negligence of another should give my office a call today at (916) 921-6400 for friendly, free advice. I also have a toll-free line: (800) 404-5400.
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Image Source: The CC BY SA version 4.0 License has given permission for reprinting of this image. Printed from Wikimedia Commons.
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