When To Call A Professional

Seek emergency help if you have significant lasting pain and suspect you may have a leg fracture after a fall, a motor vehicle accident, or other trauma involving the leg.

Prognosis

The outlook for leg fractures varies, depending on the type of fracture and its severity:

• Femur shaft fractures - Almost 100% of all femur fractures heal well, and most patients are able to return to their normal activities after about six months of treatment and rehabilitation. Among elderly patients with weakened bones, the rate of repeat fractures is high, ranging from 1% to 15%.

• Tibia shaft fractures - Tibia shaft fractures also have a good prognosis.Fractures that are closer to the knee tend to heal faster than those near the ankle. Fractures in children tend to heal faster than those in adults.

• Fibula shaft fractures - Almost all fractures of the fibula shaft heal very well with no complications.

Additional Info

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse 1 AMS Circle Bethesda, MD 20892-3675 Phone: (301) 495-4484 Toll-Free: (877) 226-4267 Fax: (301) 718-6366 TTY: (301) 565-2966 http://www.niams.nih.gov/

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) 4200 Forbes Boulevard Suite 202 Lanham, MD 20706 Phone: (301) 459-5900 http://www.naric.com/naric/

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 4676 Columbia Parkway Mail Stop C-18 Cincinnati, OH 45226 Toll-Free: (800) 356-4674 Fax: (513) 533-8573 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/