Femur Fracture
Medical term: Femoral Shaft Fracture
Overview
A femur fracture is a break in the femoral shaft, the long, straight portion of the thighbone between the hip and the knee. The femur is the largest and strongest bone in the body, so it takes significant force to fracture it. In younger adults, femur fractures are usually caused by high-energy trauma such as motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle crashes, or falls from height. In older adults with osteoporosis, lower-energy injuries can also cause femoral shaft fractures.
Femur fractures nearly always require surgical treatment. Intramedullary nailing is the gold standard for most femoral shaft fractures, providing reliable fixation that allows patients to begin weight bearing relatively early in recovery. Our San Diego orthopedic trauma surgeons have extensive experience treating femur fractures of all types and work closely with patients through every stage of healing and rehabilitation.