Fracture Care · Hip & thigh
Femoral shaft fracture
Femoral Shaft Fracture (Broken Thigh Bone) — Intramedullary Nailing
The condition
The femur (thigh bone) is the longest and strongest bone in the body. A femoral shaft fracture is a break along its long middle part, usually from a high-energy injury such as a car crash, or from a fall when bone is weaker. It causes severe thigh pain, swelling, and deformity, and you cannot stand on the leg.
The surgery
Through small incisions at the hip or knee, the bone is lined up and a strong metal rod (nail) is passed down the hollow center of the bone, then locked with screws at each end. The nail shares the load with the bone, so most patients can put weight on the leg right away. The final plan is determined during surgery.
Recovery at a glance
- Weight-bearing
- Full weight as comfort allows with a walker or crutches, unless told otherwise (some fractures need touch-down weight for 6+ weeks). The device is weaned once you walk without a limp, typically 6–12 weeks.
- Motion
- Hip and knee motion start right away; full knee straightening and bending past 90° by 2 weeks. Stationary bike and pool from 6 weeks.
- Daily life
- Desk work often within 2–4 weeks. No driving while taking narcotic pain medication.
- Running
- Typically ~4 months, once x-rays show healing and thigh strength reaches 80% of the other leg.
- Sports
- Agility and sports training at 5–6 months; full release typically 4–6 months, after strength testing.
A general guide. Your restrictions and timeline may change based on what is found and done at surgery.
Risks & benefits
Benefits: The nail holds the bone in line so you can walk soon after surgery, and most fractures heal reliably. Risks are uncommon and include infection, blood clots, the bone healing slowly or not at all, the bone healing out of line or rotated, a leg-length difference, pain at the hip or knee from the nail or screws (common; screws can be removed later), injury to nearby structures (such as nerves or blood vessels), stiffness, persistent pain, and the need for further surgery. These will be reviewed with you in detail before surgery.
Patient Surgical Information
Open, save or print. Bring your questions to your pre-op visit.
Before & after every surgery