Lower Limb Fractures
Lower limb fractures are breaks or cracks in the bones of the lower extremities, which include the hip, thigh, knee, leg, ankle, and foot. These fractures can result from various causes such as falls, direct trauma, sports injuries, or accidents. The specific type of fracture and the bone affected dictate the treatment approach and recovery process.
Types of Lower Limb Fractures
Hip Fracture:
- Types: Intracapsular (femoral neck) fractures, extracapsular (intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric) fractures.
- Causes: Falls, especially in the elderly, direct traum
- Symptoms: Severe pain in the hip or groin, inability to bear weight, leg may appear shortened and externally rotated.
Femur (Thigh Bone) Fracture:
- Types: Femoral shaft fractures, distal femur fractures.
- Causes: High-energy trauma (car accidents, falls from height).
- Symptoms: Severe pain, swelling, deformity, inability to move the leg.
Patella (Kneecap) Fracture:
- Causes: Direct blow to the knee, falls.
- Symptoms: Pain, swelling, inability to straighten the knee, difficulty walking.
Tibia and Fibula (Leg Bones) Fracture:
- Types: Proximal (near the knee), mid-shaft, and distal (near the ankle) fractures.
- Causes: Direct impact, twisting injuries, falls.
- Symptoms: Severe pain, swelling, deformity, inability to bear weight.
Ankle Fracture:
- Types: Lateral malleolus, medial malleolus, posterior malleolus, and bimalleolar or trimalleolar fractures.
- Causes: Twisting injuries, falls, direct impact.
- Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, inability to bear weight.
Foot Fracture:
- Types: Metatarsal fractures, phalangeal (toe) fractures, calcaneal (heel) fractures, talus fractures.
- Causes: Direct trauma, falls, overuse (stress fractures).
- Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, difficulty walking or bearing weight.
Symptoms of Lower Limb Fractures
- Immediate pain at the site of injury.
- Swelling and bruising.
- Visible deformity or abnormal position of the limb.
- Difficulty or inability to move or bear weight on the affected limb.
- Numbness or tingling if nerves are affected.
- Crepitus (a crackling sound or sensation) when moving the limb.
Treatment
- Immobilization: Using casts, splints, or braces to keep the bone in place while it heals.
- Medication: Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs to manage pain and swelling.
- Physical Therapy: To restore function, strength, and range of motion after immobilization.
- Surgery: Required for severe, displaced, or complex fractures. Surgical options include internal fixation with plates, screws, or rods, and in some cases, external fixation devices.
If you would like to have additional information contact Dr. Vipul Shet, serving communities and people from all walks of live.
