Femoral shaft fractures usually result from severe force and are clinically obvious. Treatment is with immediate splinting with traction followed by open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF).
(See also Overview of Fractures.)
The usual injury mechanism for femoral shaft fractures is severe direct force or an axial load to the flexed knee (typically in a motor vehicle crash or automobile-pedestrian collision). Thus, other serious injuries are often present.
Symptoms and Signs
Fracture causes obvious swelling, deformity (often with shortening), and instability. Up to 1.5 L of blood for each fracture may be lost. Hemorrhagic shock is possible, particularly when the cause is blunt trauma and there are other injuries.
