One of the most severe injuries that Virginia car crash victims can suffer is a femur fracture. The femur, or thigh bone, is the longest and strongest bone in the human body. It requires a significant amount of force to break it, which can happen during high-impact collisions.
Causes of femur fractures in car crashes
Femur fractures typically occur in motor vehicle accidents when the immense collision force passes to the legs. Several scenarios can lead to these fractures. In head-on collisions, the impact force can cause the driver’s or passenger’s knees to forcefully strike the dashboard or steering column, resulting in femur fractures.
T-bone or side-impact crashes can lead to femur fractures when the lateral force is applied directly to the side of the vehicle where a person’s legs are located. In rollover accidents, occupants may be thrown around inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of impact and fractures, including those that can occur to the femur.
Types of femur fractures
Proximal femur fractures occur near the hip joint and are often result from side-impact crashes or when the lower body slams against the vehicle’s center console.
Midshaft femur fractures, on the other hand, are fractures that happen in the middle portion of the thigh bone and are common in direct impacts to the front of the car.
Finally, distal femur fractures occur near the knee joint. These fractures are associated with front-end collisions and may involve the lower part of the femur.
Consequences and treatment
Femur fractures can result in significant pain, bleeding and swelling. They may also lead to complications, including damage to blood vessels, nerves or other nearby tissues.
Immediate medical attention is crucial. Treatment often involves surgery to realign and stabilize the broken bone using plates, screws or rods. Following surgery, physical therapy is critical in regaining strength and mobility.
Avoid painful femur injuries
Femur fractures following car crashes are devastating injuries that can leave an accident victim on life’s sidelines as they recover. Prioritizing road safety measures, such as wearing seat belts and driving cautiously, can help reduce traumatic femur injury risk. Choosing a vehicle with adequate safety features and ample support can also minimize the chance that you will suffer a femur injury in the event that you are in a collision.