Certain car accidents in Indiana are so severe that they result in catastrophic injuries. One of the most common types you can experience is a femur fracture. This is what to expect.
Understanding femur fractures
The femur is a bone found in the leg that runs from the hip to the knee. Although it’s the strongest bone in the body, it’s possible for individuals involved in severe car accidents to suffer fractures. Seniors, especially those with osteoporosis, are even more likely to suffer this type of injury due to the brittleness of their bones.
Crashes involving high impact can cause anyone in the vehicle to suffer a femur fracture. Drivers and front-seat passengers can sustain this injury if they are thrust forward in their seats and their leg makes harsh contact with the dashboard.
Depending on the severity of the injury, a femur fracture can be fatal. It can result in blood loss and cause a person to go into shock if they don’t receive immediate medical attention.
Signs of a femur fracture after a crash
With a femur fracture, you can’t put weight on the affected leg. If you’ve suffered a compound fracture, you’ll notice the skin pierced and bleeding, with parts of the bone sticking out.
Bruising is common with a femur fracture. It’s also normal to experience swelling and severe pain. If you have a simple fracture, you may feel parts of the bone pressing up against intact skin. You may even notice that your injured leg is slightly shorter than your other leg. It might even turn outward in a direction facing away from your body.