Fractures can occur in any part of the body, but one of the most common locations where the fractures are seen is in the leg. The most common causes due to which leg fractures occur include high-impact trauma like car crashes and falling from a height.
Our leg is mainly comprised of 3 bones including femur, tibia, & fibula and the fracture could occur in any one of them. The type of bone involved will depend upon the cause and the degree of injury that occurred. Let us see about fractures in three bones of the leg individually.
Femur Fracture
Also known as the thigh bone, the femur is known to be the longest bone in the human body. The fractures occurring in this bone are due to severe impact in most cases. This is because, in healthy adults, it’ll require a strong force for the femur to get broken. Thus, maximum cases involving femur fracture are due to high-energy trauma like automobile accidents and falling from a height.
In the most severe femur fracture cases, there is a risk of a life-threatening condition like pulmonary embolism. This is because in severe cases bleeding inside the thigh may occur and cause clotting. Now, if these clots travel through the bloodstream, they can block arteries in the lung while resulting in pulmonary embolism.
Depending upon the condition, internal fixation of these fractures may require the use of Interlocking Intramedullary Nail, Locking Plates and Screws, or other trauma implants.
Tibia Fracture
Tibia is one of the two bones in the lower leg and it is the larger one as well. So, when the fracture occurs in this bone, then it is known as tibia fracture. This type of fracture also occurs due to automobile accidents plus, contact sport injuries could also result in tibia fracture. In certain cases, tibia fracture could also result due to low-impact injuries, especially due to the twisting or bending of the leg at a right angle.
Fibula Fracture
The fibula is the bone in the lower leg that is positioned along with the tibia. When compared to the tibia, the fibula is the smaller one. The cause of this type of fracture is generally due to a direct blow on the leg to the side of the fibula. In extreme cases, injury to one of the nerves in the foot may also occur and that could result in limping of the foot at the ankle.
Common Symptoms in Leg Fracture
Symptoms of leg fracture depend upon the seriousness of the fracture and its location. While certain common symptoms that may be seen in the case of leg fracture include:
- Pain, swelling or bruising around the injured area
- Improper functioning or inability of the injured leg
- Deformity could also be seen
- Inability or difficulty in moving the hip or knee on the injured side
Treatment of Leg Fracture
There are no fixed procedures when it comes to the treatment of fractures. It totally depends upon the severity of the condition and the site of the injury. In most cases of un-displaced fractures, a non-surgical treatment procedure is preferred. The application of a cast or sling for the immobilization of broken bone fragments is done.
While on the other hand, in the case of displaced fractures, surgery may be required. During surgery, the use of quality orthopedic implants is done to hold fractured bone fragments in the correct position and ensure proper healing.
Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd. is one of the most trustworthy Orthopedic Device Manufacturers having clients all across the globe. With more than 30 years of experience, the company manufactures a huge range of trauma implants that meet ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 standards.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Speak Your Mind