Recovering from a Femur Fracture

Accident injuries can be severe and often dramatically change the way people live their lives. While some injuries aren’t a typical result of car accidents, others represent a severe risk in the event of a crash. One type of injury that affects many people who survive vehicle accidents is femur fractures. The femur is the largest bone in the body and bears a lot of weight. If it’s injured, people may have a hard time moving around and can experience a lot of pain. Fortunately, femur fractures can usually heal over time. This article covers the process of recovery after suffering such an injury.

Does the Injury Require Surgery?

After the femur fracture has been diagnosed, the first step is to determine whether or not the injury will require surgical procedures. Doctors will perform imaging, which may include CT scans, MRIs, and x-rays to see if the bone has been displaced. If the bone is displaced, surgery might be a necessity if doctors cannot properly align the femur using closed methods.

Immobilizing

After the bone has been set either through or without surgery, doctors will immobilize the leg to give the fracture time to heal. This is usually done through placing a cast around the broken leg and minimizing movement of the injured individual. Depending on how severe the fracture is, this process can take anywhere from just a few weeks to many months.

Bearing Weight

Once the bone fracture has had ample time to begin healing, it will take even longer for injury survivors to be able to support themselves with their leg. Over time, the cells in the bone will regenerate their integrity, and the bone will begin to approach a healthy state. While some smaller fractures can start bearing weight not long after the leg begins to heal, some can’t bear weight for an extended period. Others may never be able to regain the full strength of their leg. Keeping the leg mobile to support blood circulation can help the leg regain strength and can keep the bone from becoming stiff. While transitioning to bearing weight on your fractured leg, it is essential to strictly follow the advice of your doctors to prevent worsening the injury.

Managing Pain

People who’ve suffered a traumatic injury during an auto accident know that these injuries are often excruciating. Pain management is something that should be discussed between a patient and physician to effectively manage an injury without over-medicating. Most physicians prefer to “start low and go slow.” This means that patients may first be recommended over-the-counter medications before doctors will prescribe stronger painkillers.

Physical Therapy

Most people who suffer femur fractures lose muscle strength in their leg while recovering. This muscle needs to be built up for people to be able to safely run, walk, and engage in various physical activities. Regaining this muscle typically involves going through physical therapy sessions that include multiple exercises and stretches. These sessions aim to improve strength and mobility to rehabilitate people based on their specific needs.

Watch YouTube Video: Physical Therapy. This video shares some information on what to expect from your physical therapy session.

Financial Recovery

Surgeries, medication, hospital stays, and physical therapy can all be costly. Many people wonder how they will be able to recover their health when they can’t afford to pay for the necessary medical expenses. However, injured parties can frequently pay for these costs through money from personal injury claims which seek to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. To learn more about these types of claims, contact a Kings Beach car accident lawyer with experience handling injury cases.

More Blogs by Kings Beach Car Accident Lawyer, Ed Smith

Kings Beach Car Accident Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, an auto accident attorney in Kings Beach. Suffering car accident injuries can be difficult. If you were injured during a car accident, call me and get free, friendly advice about the legal options available to you. My local number is (530) 392-9400, and I can also be contacted at (800) 404-5400.

I’ve assisted people in King’s landing for more than 37 years. You can find more information about the work I’ve done by viewing my firm’s history of settlements and verdicts and by browsing through my customer reviews at these popular rating sites:

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Recovering from a Femur Fracture