Definition
A fracture of the femur shaft or femoral diaphyseal fracture consists in the break of the long tubular segment of the femur bone, between the hip and the knee joint.
Pathology
A femoral shaft fracture is a serious condition needing immediate management in the Emergency Department, as it is often associated with other life-threatening injuries to the pelvis, hip, knee and head.
It requires high-energy impacts as often seen in road traffic accidents. Contrary to a hip fracture, a femoral shaft fracture is more common in the young population. In the elderly low energy forces are sufficient to cause a femoral shaft fracture due to reduced bone density. Osteoporosis and metastatic tumours can result in spontaneous or pathologic fractures.
Femoral shaft fractures are often associated to injuries of the hip (fracture/dislocation), pelvis and knee as well as compartment syndrome due to extreme soft tissue swelling and damage.
The fracture of the femoral shaft can display various patterns and complexities:
Transverse - horizontal break of the shaft
Oblique - angled break across the shaft
Spiral - line forming a circle around the shaft
Comminuted – bones breaks in 3 or more fragments
Displaced - bone extremities have lost alignment
Non-displaced - bone segments do not separate
Open or compound fracture - broken fragments protrude through the skin
Classification
Winquist and Hansen Classification
Type 0 - no comminution
Type I - minor comminution (transverse/ oblique fractures)
Type II - > 50% cortical intact
Type III - < 50% cortical intact
Type IV - Segmental fracture with no contact between proximal and distal fragment
OTA (Orthopaedic Trauma Association) Classification
23A Simple: A1 – Spiral; A2 Oblique > 30 degrees; A3 Transverse < 30 degrees
32B Wedge: B1 – Spiral; B2 - Bending wedge; B3 - Fragmented wedge
32C Complex: C1 – Spiral; C2 – Segmental; C3 - Irregular
Causes
In the young population a femoral shaft fracture arises from high-energy traumas such as road traffic accidents and falls from a significant height. In the older population low energy falls are the main cause of a femoral shaft fracture. A fall can be the result of medical conditions including limited vision, impaired balance, sudden drop in blood pressure and heart arrhythmia causing people to faint. A pathologic fracture is the consequence of osteoporosis or metabolic changes. This type of fractures does not require a traumatic impact or a fall to occur. The most frequent causes are:
High speed road traffic accidents (car/motorcycle drivers, passengers, pedestrians)
Falls from significant height (young people)
Sports (high-speed, contact sports with direct trauma, skiing, football, hockey)
Falls on hard surface (elderly)
Pathologic fractures (osteoporosis, primary tumours, metastases, metabolic bone conditions)
Stress fractures (intense sport training, abnormalities in bone integrity, metabolic dysfunctions)
Gun shot
Risk factors
The main risk factors for a femoral shaft fracture include:
Young age < 25, and elderly age > 65 years
Working at height (carpenters, electricians, builders, painters)
Frequent driving (car, motorcycle, high speed races)
Extreme recreational sport and activities
Osteoporosis
Falls in older people
Chronic medical conditions (hyper-/hypotension, stroke, heart arrhythmia, thyroid dysfunction, epilepsy)
Medications e.g. steroids weakening bone density and relaxants facilitating falls
Normal
Symptoms
The symptoms of a fractured femur shaft may be complex due to the possible association to other injuries. Immediately after occurring, this fracture triggers a sharp pain localised on the front, or backside of the thigh, occasionally radiating to the hip, buttock and the entire leg. The patient is unable to move the lower limb and may suffer from local numbness (nerve damage). Deformities of the thigh may also appear including partial rotation, and shortening, incorrect abduction/adduction of the affected limb. The patient may present changes in the soft tissue around the thigh including a bruise, swelling and open wounds (open fracture, gun shot).
Diagnosis
Given the serious nature of a femoral shaft fracture the first diagnosis is normally executed at the Emergency Department. Stress fractures may be less evident and firstly diagnosed at the GP practice. The mechanisms of injury and symptoms are discussed with the examiner. The patient is subjected to a medical triage to determine the presence and severity of associated injuries to prioritise treatment strategies. Examination includes the palpation and inspection of the area, assessment of the range of movement, neurologic and vascular testing. Radiologic evaluation with X-ray on antero-posterior view, CT scan or MRI is taken to characterise the fracture type and the involvement of suspected collateral injuries. The orthopaedic surgeon will assess the images and opt for the best treatment suitable to the type of fracture in relation to the general condition of the patient. Bone mineral density is useful for the diagnosis of osteoporosis particularly for stress fractures in the elderly.
Treatment
Nonoperative treatment
A non-displaced femoral shaft fracture is treated conservatively in most cases but requires a longer hospitalisation period particularly in patients with comorbidities. Nonoperative treatment increases the risk for bone displacement and requires frequent monitoring by X-ray to ensure correct healing. In more serious femoral shaft fractures, surgery is avoided only if the patient presents serious medical conditions. Early treatment includes:
Fluid replacement
Administration of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Long leg cast, protective splint or brace
Immobilisation
Use of crutches
Continuous weighted traction device
Physical therapy
Surgical treatment
Surgical stabilisation of a femoral shaft fracture is achieved with various techniques. Such procedures are achieved at best within 24 hours from the accident and may follow an initial period of traction and ensure the patient’s cardiovascular stability. Current surgical methods are:
Intramedullary nailing consists in the insertion of a long nail through the rimmed bone marrow canal of the femoral shaft, which is secured with screws on both ends. It allows early mobilisation and reduction of complications (incorrect fracture healing, fat/pulmonary embolism, thrombosis).
Intramedullary nailing is achieved with two approaches:
- Antegrade nailing is the preferred method in case of simple fractures. The nail is inserted through an incision at the femoral great trochanter
- Retrograde nailing is used in distal femoral shaft fractures. The nail is inserted at the distal tibial side below the patella
- ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) applies long plates and screws fixed onto the fracture of the shaft following initial open reduction to realign the bone fragments. It is indicated in large, complex and / or open fractures extending to the hip or the knee joints.
External fixation in case of haemodynamic instability, or severe multi-traumas is the option when complete fixation surgery poses risks to the patient. With patient improvement the orthopaedic surgeon can proceed to final surgical fixation.
Complications
Complications that may occur following a proximal femur fracture include:
Local infection in open fractures - requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment
Acute compartment syndrome – increased pressure of the soft tissues around the fracture potentially blocking blood flow and causing tissue necrosis (death)
Blood loss (pudental or femoral artery injury) - can occur during or after surgery. Rarely, a blood transfusion is needed
Fracture non-union and delayed union - occurs when the fracture does not heal completely or heals slowly
Iatrogenic fractures - occurring during surgery e.g. nailing
Malalignment - the healed femur parts are not aligned correctly
Reactive irritation of soft tissue to metal hardware
Heterotopic ossification – bone growth distant from the fracture site
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism – thrombosis mostly occurs in the deep veins of the lower limbs due to prolonged immobility. Such thrombi can dislodge and cause a life threatening pulmonary embolism. Patients are given prophylactic medications (warfarin, aspirin)
Pressure ulcers - due to extended immobilisation and the fragile skin in the elderly
Pneumonia - used to be the main cause of death in older patient that were immobilised for several weeks. Nowadays aged patients are mobilised soon after surgery to prevent such complications
Rehabilitation
Patients with a healing femur shaft fractures begin rehabilitation through gradual and assisted physiotherapy to restore muscle strength, hip flexibility and prevent medical complications. This phase may require the patient to be admitted to a cared facility or receive regular in-home visits by a physiotherapist. Crutches, walking stick, or a walker may be necessary to support the patient during the first weeks up to 12 months after a femoral shaft fracture. Physiotherapy during the first 6-12 weeks post-surgery include:
Ice/heat treatment
Anti-inflammatory therapy (NSAIDs)
Exercise to strengthen quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles
Hydrotherapy
Massage
Joint mobilisation
Guided return to activity
Weight loss in overweighed patients
Prevention
A fracture to the femoral shaft can be prevented when risk factors are identified. It is critical to avoid falls and reduce the exposure to high velocity sports and recreational activities as well as adhere to safety rules. In osteoporotic patients it is recommended to administer the bisphosphonate group of drugs with supplements of calcium and vitamin D. Other preventive measures include:
Exercise and maintenance of muscular strength in the elderly (walking, swimming)
Use of supporting walking devices in the elderly
Removal of carpets or other items facilitating falls
Modify habits (laced shoes, illuminate house at night, install railings, non-skid tiles in bathroom)
Adherence to occupational health and safety procedures and road traffic safety equipment (use of seatbelts, harness, balustrades)
Improve incorrect training techniques, footwear
Weight control with diet
Monitoring of chronic diseases and pharmacological use (blood pressure medications)
Quit smoking (impairs bone healing)