How long does it take to walk after a broken femur?

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.

How long does it take an elderly person to recover from a broken femur?

Most femoral shaft fractures take 3 to 6 months to completely heal. Some take even longer, especially if the fracture was open or broken into several pieces or if the patient uses tobacco products.

Can a 90 year old recover from 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.

Can a broken 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.

How long is physical therapy for a broken femur?

Rehabilitation After Femur Fracture Surgery After surgery, the leg is put in a cast or set in a brace, for about 8 weeks. A physical therapist will work the patient to make sure that he or she is using crutches safely. The patient may not be able to bear weight on the leg for up to 12 weeks.

When can you drive after femur fracture?

People with post-operative fractures of the right knee, ankle, thigh, or calf bone could reasonably return to driving after six weeks of weight-bearing therapy.

Does a broken femur qualify for disability?

If you have suffered a fracture of your femur, tibia, or pelvis and it has resulted in ongoing problems, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. If you have been in a serious accident, you may have suffered multiple broken bones.

Does a broken leg ever fully heal?

More severe fractures can take between 3 and 6 months to fully heal. Some can take even longer. The hospital may recommend regular physiotherapy appointments to help you maintain or regain muscle strength, movement and flexibility. This will include specific exercises to do before and after the cast is removed.

What is intramedullary nailing for femoral shaft fractures?

Intramedullary nailing. Currently, the method most surgeons use for treating femoral shaft fractures is intramedullary nailing. During this procedure, a specially designed metal rod is inserted into the canal of the femur. The rod passes across the fracture to keep it in position.

Should the medullary canal be reamed for tibial nail insertion?

The medullary canal should be reamed a bit larger than the intended nail diameter (usually about 1.5 mm more), to ease nail insertion. The image illustrates a non-reamed nail on the left, and a reamed nail on the right. Stability is increased with the reamed technique, because the nail fits snugly in a longer portion of the tibial shaft.

What happens if you break your femur bone?

Compartment Syndrome: This develops when the leg swells and chokes off its own blood supply. This can lead to the death of the limb and, possibly, an amputation. Infections: An infection can also develop following a femur fracture particularly if the skin has been opened.

What are the advantages of intramedullary nail fixation?

Fixation with an intramedullary nail allows (controlled) movement at the fracture site and provides relative stability. Callus will be formed. This is called indirect bone healing, or occasionally secondary healing. 4. Static and dynamic interlocking of nails 1. Static interlocking Static interlocking is used in severe fractures with