Leg Fracture

What is a leg fracture?

A leg fracture is a break or crack in the bone of the upper leg (femur) or a break in one or both of the bones in the lower leg (tibia or fibula).

What is the cause?

Leg fractures can happen in many ways, such as from falls, direct hits, and overuse. Sometimes diseases, such as osteoporosis, or other problems can cause bones to get weak and break more easily.

What are the symptoms?

When the leg is broken, you may hear a snapping or popping sound. Symptoms may include:

• pain, swelling, or tenderness
• trouble moving the leg or not being able to walk
• a grating feeling when you move your leg (caused by broken bones moving against each other)
• muscle spasms
• a change in the shape of the leg

If there is an open wound over the site of a fracture, it’s especially important to get medical care right away.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and how the injury happened. Your provider will examine you. You will have X-rays of the leg.

How is it treated?

The treatment depends on the type of fracture. Sometimes surgery is needed to put the bones back into the correct position.

Your healthcare provider may put the leg in a splint or cast to keep it from moving.

If you have an open wound over the site of the leg fracture, you may need surgery. Your healthcare provider will cleanse the wound and cover it with a sterile dressing. You may need to have a tetanus shot and need to take antibiotics for several days.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full course of treatment your healthcare provider prescribes. Also:

• To keep swelling down and help relieve pain, your healthcare provider may tell you to:
  • Put an ice pack, gel pack, or package of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth on the injured area every 3 to 4 hours for up to 20 minutes at a time for the first day or two after the injury.
  • Keep the injured leg up on pillows when you sit or lie down.
  • Take pain medicine, such as ibuprofen, as directed by your provider. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may cause stomach bleeding and other problems. These risks increase with age. Read the label and take as directed. Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, do not take for more than 10 days.
• If you have a cast, make sure the cast does not get wet. Cover the cast with plastic when you bathe. Avoid scratching the skin around the cast or poking things down the cast. This could cause an infection.
• Use crutches or a cane as directed by your healthcare provider. Your provider will tell you how much weight you can put on your leg, if any.

When your leg has been in a splint or cast, your joints may get stiff and your muscles get weaker. After the splint or cast is removed, your healthcare provider or physical therapist may recommend exercises to help you get stronger and more flexible. Follow your provider’s instructions for doing exercises.

Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests. Call your healthcare provider right away if:

• You have more pain, redness, warmth, or swelling.
• You have a fever.
• Parts of the injured leg, like the feet or toes, look pale or blue or feel cold.
• You have a loss of feeling in the injured area.

How can a leg fracture be prevented?

Most broken legs are caused by accidents that are not easy to prevent. However, you can help prevent leg injuries by:

• wearing shoes that fit well and give good support
• gently stretching before and after physical activity
• working and playing safely