Version July 2025
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What is a femur fracture? —
This is when the bone in the upper leg or thigh (called the "femur") breaks (figure 1). A "fracture" is another word for a broken bone. Femur fractures are more common in children and people older than 75 years.
The femur can break closer to the knee, in the middle, or closer to the hip. The following information is about breaks in the middle of the femur or closer to the knee. Hip fractures are treated differently.
When a bone breaks, it might crack, break all the way through, or shatter.
There are different types of fractures, depending on which bone breaks and how. Examples include:
●"Open" fracture – This is when the bone sticks out of the skin or can be seen through a wound.
●"Closed" fracture – This is when the bone does not stick out of the skin and cannot be seen through a wound.
Compared with adults' bones, children's bones are more likely to bend or break only partway. Special kinds of fractures children can get include:
●"Buckle" fractures – This is when the bone is compressed but does not break.
●"Growth plate" fractures – This is when the growing part of the bone near the end breaks, often where a ligament attaches to it.
What are the symptoms of a femur fracture? —
Symptoms depend on where the bone is broken and the kind of break. Common symptoms can include:
●Pain, swelling, or bruising over the area
●The area looking abnormal, bent, or not the usual shape
●Not being able to move or put weight on that leg
●Numbness in the leg
●The injured leg or thigh looking shorter than the other one
Is there a test for a femur fracture? —
Yes. The doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms, do an exam, and take an X-ray.
They might also do other imaging tests, such as a CT, bone scan, or ultrasound. These create pictures of the inside of the body.
How are femur fractures treated? —
Treatment depends, in part, on the type of fracture and how serious it is. The goal is to have the ends of the broken bone line up with each other so the bone can heal.
If the ends of the broken bone are already in line with each other, the doctor will put on a cast, splint, or brace. This keeps the bone in the correct position so it can heal. Infants and young children often get a special cast called a "spica cast."
Many femur fractures in older children, adolescents, and adults require surgery to put the bone back in the correct position. This is called "open fracture reduction."
Will I need surgery? —
Maybe. If so, during surgery, the doctor will put the bone back in the correct position. They will also use metal plates, rods, nails, pins, wires, or screws to hold the bone in place while it heals. These might be removed after the fracture is healed.
How long do femur fractures take to heal? —
Most take weeks to months to heal. The doctor or nurse will talk to you about when to return to things like work, sports, or other activities.
Healing time also depends on the person. Healthy children usually heal much more quickly than older adults or adults with other medical problems.
How do I care for myself at home? —
To care for yourself or your child at home:
●Follow the doctor's instructions for wearing the cast, splint, or brace. This supports and protects the bone as it heals. Some fractures are put in a cast right away. Others are not put in a cast until after the swelling goes down.
●Do not get a cast wet, unless the doctor says it is waterproof.
●Follow instructions about putting weight on your leg. You might not be allowed to put any weight on the leg, or only a little weight. You might want to use crutches or a walker to help you move around.
●Follow instructions for limiting activity and movement until the bone is healed. The doctor or nurse will tell you what activities are safe to do.
●Prop your injured leg on pillows, keeping it above the level of your heart. This might help lessen pain and swelling.
●The doctor might recommend you take an over-the-counter pain medicine. These include acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●You might get a prescription for stronger pain medicines to take for a short time. Follow the instructions for taking these.
●Ice can help with pain and swelling – Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the injured area every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and the cast, splint, or brace. Ice for at least 6 hours after an injury. It might help to ice longer, even up to 2 days.
●Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of calcium, vitamin D, and protein (figure 2).
●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help. Broken bones take longer to heal if you smoke.
What problems can happen with a femur fracture? —
Your doctor will talk to you about all the possible problems and answer your questions. Possible problems include:
●Damage to nerves or blood vessels
●Blood clots
●The bone not healing correctly
●Infection
●Compartment syndrome (an abnormal buildup of pressure in a group of muscles in the leg)
●Ongoing pain or weakness
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
●You feel short of breath, or have trouble breathing.
●You have sharp or severe chest pain when breathing.
●You cough up blood.
●The cast or splint feels too tight and uncomfortable, or your toes turn pale, blue, or gray.
Call the doctor or nurse for advice if:
●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●You have less feeling or movement in your toes.
●Your leg gets swollen or starts to hurt more.
●Your skin gets red or irritated around the cast, or redness spreads up your leg.
●A bad smell or drainage is coming from the cast or splint.
●The cast feels too loose, or gets cracked or soft.
●The cast gets wet, and it is not supposed to get wet.
Patient education: Fractures in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Fractures in children (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for your cast (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for your child's cast (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a splint (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use crutches (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a walker (The Basics)
Patient education: Acute compartment syndrome (The Basics)
