Can a fractured femur cause death?

A femoral shaft fracture in isolation should not cause death. Yet a patient with a femoral fracture can die from this injury. Recall that bone is vascular and fractures let marrow contents (fat especially) out into the circulation. Fat could embolize to the brain or the lungs.

What happens when an old person breaks their femur?

Beyond suffering pain, a hip fracture results in a loss of physical function, decreased social engagement, increased dependence, and worse quality of life. Many people who have a hip fracture need to change their living conditions, such as relocating from their home into a residential aged care facility.

How does a toddler break their femur?

The femur is a strong bone and is very hard to break. So a femur fracture is often the result of great force during severe trauma (such as a car accident, bad fall, or serious sports injury). Your child may have already been seen in an emergency room for initial treatment for the fracture.

How do you treat a broken femur in a child?

Your doctor will decide which type of spica cast is most effective for treating your child’s fracture. Your doctor will sedate your child for the closed reduction, and apply a spica cast immediately (or within 24 hours of hospitalization) to keep the fractured pieces in correct position until healing occurs.

Can a 90 year old survive a broken femur?

Conclusion: Surgery is the treatment of choice for patients aged 90 years and older with proximal femoral fracture. However, they have a lower rate of regaining pre-injury walking ability and a higher in-hospital death rate than younger patients.

Do you need surgery for a broken femur?

By aenriquez published November 22, 2017. A femur fracture is a crack, break or crush injury to the thigh bone. Smaller, simpler fractures of the femur do not typically require surgery. However, others that completely break the bone, cause the bone to be crushed or displaced need immediate surgery.

What happens if you fall and Break Your femur?

Older adults can fracture their femur from a fall because their bones tend to be weaker. Depending on how close to the hip the break is, it may be called a hip fracture instead of a femur fracture. In most cases, your doctor will start with an X-ray.

Is a femur fracture considered an emergency?

A femur fracture is always considered a medical emergency requiring immediate evaluation and treatment in a hospital. The treatment is largely dependent on the location of the fracture and the pattern and extent of the break. Equally as important is the health status of the individual, including the strength and density of the affected bone.

How long does it take to recover from a femur fracture?

Most people who receive specialized treatment for a femur fracture are admitted in a long-term nursing or rehabilitation facility. Full recovery can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 12 months. Yet, many patients can start walking much earlier with the help of a physical therapist.