What is a Femoral Fracture?
A femoral fracture is a fracture of the femur or hip bone, the largest and heaviest bone in the body. In order for this bone to become broken, the patient must be subjected to considerable force, such as a severe fall or car accident. Classically, femoral fractures are fragility fractures, meaning that they occur because the bone has been weakened by underlying disease, such as osteoporosis. This type of break can be very serious, with a recovery time of at least three months. Proximal femoral fractures occur near the head of the femur, around the hip joint, while femoral shaft fractures involve the shaft of the femur. Shaft fractures are most commonly associated with car accidents, because few other situations generate the force and angle necessary for this type of break. An unusual type of femoral fracture called a supracondylar fracture occurs just above the knee, and can cause serious problems with the knee joint in the long term. When a fracture of the femur is suspected, a doctor
