Femur Fracture

Explanation of Diagnosis

A femur fracture means a break in the thigh bone (the femur). It usually happens from a significant fall, a sports impact, or a motor vehicle accident. Symptoms commonly include severe thigh or groin pain, swelling and bruising, difficulty standing or walking, and sometimes visible deformity. Treatment often focuses on stabilizing the fracture and protecting the bone while healing progresses.

Specific Work Modifications

• Use a wheelchair or mobility aid to limit walking and protect weight-bearing as directed by your clinician.
• Set up a “work station” at waist height so you can avoid bending, twisting, and reaching overhead.
• Plan for frequent sit-down breaks, and keep your leg elevated when you can to reduce swelling.
• Avoid stairs, ladders, and step stools; use elevators when available.
• Reduce or eliminate lifting, carrying, and pushing/pulling heavy items until cleared.
• If you must transfer (chair to chair), do it slowly with support and follow your mobility restrictions.

Specific Activity Modifications

• Avoid running, jumping, and high-impact sports until you are specifically cleared.
• Do not try to “test” the injury by taking extra steps; follow your prescribed weight-bearing status.
• Skip activities that involve sudden twisting, cutting, or contact (including most return-to-play drills).
• Choose low-risk activities like gentle stationary positioning changes and permitted range-of-motion work only.
• For hobbies such as yard work or heavy chores, switch to seated tasks and postpone anything that requires standing for long periods.
• When cleared, consider low-impact options such as short, supported walking for conditioning, not for strength testing.

Recommended Supplements

• Vitamin D3, typically 1000 to 2000 IU daily, may support bone health and healing when your vitamin D level is low or uncertain.
• Calcium, typically aiming for 1000 to 1200 mg per day total from diet and supplements, supports bone mineralization (avoid high doses without guidance).
• Protein supplement (such as whey or a ready-to-drink protein), typically 20 to 30 g per dose, can help meet higher protein needs for tissue repair.
• Omega-3 fish oil, typically providing about 1 to 2 g per day of combined EPA plus DHA, may help with inflammation balance during recovery.

Recommended Nutrition and Hydration

Diet Recommendations

• Focus on adequate calories and protein at each meal to support tissue repair.
• Include calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods such as dairy or fortified alternatives, and vitamin D sources if available.
• Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables (for example, berries, citrus, leafy greens) to support overall healing.
• Choose whole grains and healthy fats to maintain energy without relying on frequent high-sugar snacks.

Hydration Tips

• Drink water regularly throughout the day, and consider an electrolyte drink if you are sweating more than usual or have low intake.
• Use urine color as a quick guide; aim for pale yellow and increase fluids if you are darker or dehydrated.
• Avoid excessive alcohol, since it can interfere with recovery for many people.

Home Exercise Prescription

Do these exercises 1 to 2 times per day unless your clinician or therapist has given different restrictions.

1. Ankle pumps, point and flex your foot slowly, keeping movement comfortable, 20 to 30 reps.
2. Toe wiggles, gently move your toes up and down and fan them apart, 1 to 2 minutes total.
3. Quad sets, tighten the front thigh muscle by pressing the knee gently toward the bed without causing sharp pain, hold 5 to 10 seconds, repeat 10 reps.
4. Glute sets, gently squeeze your buttocks as if trying to hold a small towel in place, hold 5 to 10 seconds, repeat 10 reps.
5. Seated or assisted heel slides (only if allowed), slowly slide the heel toward you and back within your permitted range, 10 reps.

Stop if any exercise causes sharp, increasing pain, sudden new numbness, or a rapid increase in swelling.

Helpful Books

• "Explain Pain" written by David Clarke and Lorimer Moseley
• "Move Your Body, Change Your Life" written by Katy Bowman