Overview

A broken leg (leg fracture) is defined as a break or crack in one of the bones in your leg. Common causes include falls, motor vehicle accidents and sports injuries.

Treatment of a broken leg depends on the location and severity of the injury. A severely broken leg may require surgery to implant devices into the broken bone to maintain stability and proper alignment during healing. Other injuries may be treated with a cast or splint. In all cases, prompt diagnosis and treatment of the broken leg is critical to complete healing.

Symptoms

A broken thigh bone (femur), which is the strongest bone in your body, usually is easy to notice, because it requires an extremely strong force to break it. But fractures of your shinbone (tibia) — the major weight-bearing bone in your lower leg — and the bone that runs alongside it below your knee, the fibula, may be more subtle.

Our orthopedic doctors in Boca Raton have indicated there are a few main signs and symptoms:

Toddlers or young children are more vulnerable due to their active exploration of the world, but may not know what a broken leg is or feels like, so parents must be aware of these symptoms.

When to see an orthopedic doctor?

If you or your child has any signs or symptoms of a broken leg, see a doctor right away. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can result in problems later, including poor healing.

Seek emergency medical attention for any leg fracture from a high-impact trauma, such as a car or motorcycle accident. Fractures of the thigh bone are severe, potentially life-threatening injuries that require emergency medical services to help protect the area from further damage and transfer you safely to your local hospital.

Request an Appointment with an Orthopedic Doctor at Boca Raton Clinic

Common causes according to our orthopedic doctors in Boca Raton

There are a number of ways you can break your leg, including:

Stress fracture risk factors according to our orthopedic specialists in Boca Raton

Stress fractures are often the result of repetitive stress to the leg bones from physical activities, such as:

Contact sports, such as hockey and football, also may pose a risk of direct blows to the leg, which can result in a fracture.

Stress fractures outside of sport situations are more common in people who have:

Possible complications

Complications of a broken leg may include:

Prevention

A broken leg can't always be prevented. But these basic tips from our orthopedic surgeons in Boca Raton may reduce your risk:

Need more information? Ask Orthopaedic Surgery Associates in Boca Raton or Boynton Beach

Whether it’s post-injury help or consultation about your first symptoms, our orthopedic doctors in Boynton Beach or Boca Raton provide total management of patient care in Palm Beach County. If you’d like to find out more about us, our doctors, and our facilities, or you want to make an appointment, contact us. We will help you stay healthy and happy!

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Whether it’s post-injury help or consultation about your first symptoms, our orthopedic doctors provide total management of patient care. Contact us find out more about OSA, our doctors, and our facilities, or to get started as a patient.

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