A femur fracture is a break in the bone of the upper leg or thigh, known as the femur. This can occur in different areas of the femur, such as closer to the knee, in the middle, or closer to the hip.
Your child has a femur fracture. The orthopedic surgeon (health care provider who treats problems with bones) put a cast, splint, or harness on your child to keep the bone still so it can heal. Here's how to care for your child at home.
Follow your surgeon's recommendations for:
- Whether your child can put any weight on the leg.
- Using crutches.
- How to care for the cast, splint, or harness.
- Any activities to avoid.
- Giving any medicines for pain. These may include prescription pain medicine, acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand), or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Some prescription pain medicines also include acetaminophen or ibuprofen. To avoid giving too much, give the medicines exactly as your surgeon recommends.
- Going to physical therapy.
- Making follow-up appointments.
To control swelling:
- When your child is sitting or lying down, prop the leg up on a pillow.
- When your child is awake:
- Put ice in a plastic bag wrapped in a towel on the outside of the cast, splint, or harness for 20 minutes every 3 hours for up to 2 days. Don't put ice directly on the cast, splint, harness, or skin.
- Remind your child to wiggle their toes to keep blood flowing normally.
How do femur fractures in kids happen? Most femur fractures in young children are from falls. For older kids and teens, sports injuries and car accidents are the main causes.
How long does it take for a femur fracture to heal? Most kids with a femur fracture stay in a cast, splint, or harness for at least 6 weeks. Some femur fractures take longer to heal.
What problems can happen from a femur fracture? Problems can include:
- Damage to the nerves or blood vessels in the area
- Irregular healing that leads to a change in the shape of the bone or a difference in leg lengths
- Ongoing pain
