![]() ![]() ![]() In the medical history, doctors will want to hear about any recent injuries that might have caused a fracture, as well as any evidence of osteoporosis.ĭuring a physical exam, the doctor may be able to diagnose a fracture to the femur, tibia or fibula by sight alone, if there is an obvious deformity. Diagnosisĭiagnosing a fracture to one of the leg bones usually begins with a physical examination and medical history of the patient. People at risk for osteoporosis should have a DXA scan to check their bone density. People with osteoporosis have weaker-than-normal bones, so that even a lower-energy trauma can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis is largely an age-related condition that causes gradual bone density loss. Osteoporosis, although not a cause of fractures, greatly increases the risk of occurrence, even femur fractures. Therefore the femur usually fractures only in high-energy trauma events such as car accidents, as opposed to more low-energy events such as falls from standing height, unless there is some mitigating circumstance. The femur, in addition to being the longest bone in the body, is also the strongest by most measurements. In general, tibia and fibula fractures are more common than femur fractures. There are many potential causes of broken bones in the leg. Some symptoms of a broken leg bone may vary depending on the type, location and severity of the fracture, but pain-which can be severe-and difficulty or inability to put weight on the injured leg are common symptoms present in almost all leg fractures. If the fracture occurs in the upper third of the femur or the femoral head (a protruding ball that inserts into the socket of the hip), the injury is technically considered a hip fracture. Note that not all femur fractures are the same. ![]() People who suspect they have fractured their femur, tibia or fibula should seek medical attention immediately. They are usually extremely painful, and weight bearing may be difficult or impossible. The fibula and tibia are the two bones of the lower leg, below the kneecap.įractures to any bone in the leg are medical emergencies. The femur-the longest and hardest bone of the body-is also known as the thigh bone. A broken leg is a fracture of one or more bones of the leg: the femur, the fibula or the tibia. ![]()
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