It sometimes happens that the victims of auto accidents here in Tennessee fracture their femur bone, which runs from the hip to the knee. Known as the strongest bone in the body, the femur can give rise to serious complications if it’s fractured, including extreme blood loss, blood clots and, if the bone protrudes from the skin, infection.
Car crashes are the leading cause of fractures
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says that high-impact car crashes are the leading cause of femur fractures, followed by falls from a great height. Drivers do not suffer these injuries so much, but motorcyclists and pedestrians do because they have no metal case to absorb the shock for them when they are hit.
Femur fractures: the different types
Most fractures occur along the length of the femur while others, called knee fractures, occur at the distal end that connects the femur to the knee joint. In serious cases, femurs could be crushed and splintered. Other femur fractures, such as stress fractures at the femoral neck, are common among the elderly.
The medical treatments for femur fractures
Only rarely can victims be treated with nothing more than a cast and crutches. Some may need the femur bone brought together and straightened with metal rods and screws. Others will take antibiotics if the bone protruded from the skin.
See if you are eligible for compensation
Pursuing a personal injury claim after a high-impact crash can be complicated, depending on the degree of fault of both parties. To determine how strong your case is, you may want a lawyer to evaluate it under Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence rule. After that, the lawyer may represent you during negotiations, taking the case to court if a settlement covering your losses cannot be agreed upon.
