A broken leg is most often caused by a blunt force trauma such as a car accident, a fall from a significant height, or a sports-related accident.
The leg contains four bones – the femur, the patella, the tibia, and the fibula. Each of these bones is capable of fracturing into two or more pieces.
The tibia, or shinbone, is the most commonly fractured long bone in the body. This fracture occurs along the length of your leg bone, below the knee, and above the ankle. In many tibia fractures, the fibula – the smaller bone in your lower leg – may fracture, too.
Although less common, a fracture of the femur – the longest, strongest bone of the body located in your thigh – has the potential to cause dangerous complications such as blood infection or blood clots. If you believe you may have fractured your femur, call 911. If you believe you’ve sustained a leg fracture in your lower leg, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Restricting the movement of a broken leg bone is critical to healing. You may require a splint or a cast, and you may also need to rely upon crutches or a cane to keep weight off of the affected leg for six to eight weeks, sometimes longer.
Depending upon the type of fracture, your doctor’s recommended form of treatment will vary. After your cast or splint is removed, you may need to engage in a course of physical therapy to strengthen your injured leg.
Signature Medical Group’s practitioners are board-certified orthopedic surgeons whose expertise, experience, and leadership in their profession translate into exceptional medical care and treatment for you.
Contact one of our St. Louis or Kansas City orthopedic practices if you feel that you or your loved one may have a broken leg.