The Importance Of Physical Therapy After Suffering From A Broken Femur

The femur is the bone in the thigh that helps keep a person stable and strong. When this bone breaks, it can be a serious health problem that must be managed immediately. Treatment and the use of appropriate forms of physical therapy are an important way of recovering from this condition.

Symptoms Of A Broken Femur

When the femur breaks, it should be pretty easy to know: there will be severe pain, swelling, tenderness along the thigh, bruising, deformity of the leg, and even an inability to walk. That said, a person who suffers from a broken femur may still be able to walk, though with severe pain. Broken femurs typically occur with serious trauma, such as landing on it from a great height or getting hit hard.

Complications That Can Occur Without Treatment

Failure to treat a broken femur or any bone in the leg can cause a variety of problems that only get worse the longer the break remains untreated. These problems include:

  • Damage to the femoral artery that can cause severe bleeding
  • Compartment syndrome, which causes dangerous complications
  • Fat embolism, which can be life-threatening if left untreated
  • Injury to surrounding muscles and other areas near the leg

That's why it's so crucial to get treatment and physical therapy for the problem. Getting the fracture stabilized first is important, as it can help it heal properly. At that point, various forms of physical therapy can be used to help a person get back on their feet more quickly.

Hydrotherapy Is A Good Step

With a broken femur, it is important to avoid putting too much high-impact stress on it. People can't jog while in recovery or play sports. Hydrotherapy is a common physical therapy option because it removes the stress and strain caused by exercise and allows the muscles and the bone to move without suffering from severe pain.

The idea here is to simply work the leg to avoid allowing the muscles to atrophy. It also helps a person retain their range of motion by giving them the chance to move their leg safely. Many doctors prescribe hydrotherapy and other types of range-of-motion physical therapy exercises to ensure that the break heals properly and the person who suffered from it has no serious side effects.

Talking to a doctor before undergoing any type of physical therapy is important because it will help avoid injury and other serious problems. Hydrotherapy is just one type of method that may be used to manage a broken femur with others being chosen depending on the severity of the problem. To learn more about your physical therapy options, contact a location like Hands-On Physical Therapy.


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