Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLocation and PainPhysical Therapy ExercisesTools and Exercise AidsEstimated Recovery TimelineHow to Find a Physical TherapistInsurance Coverage and CostsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Location and Pain
Physical Therapy Exercises
Tools and Exercise Aids
Estimated Recovery Timeline
How to Find a Physical Therapist
Insurance Coverage and Costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Afemurfracture, or broken thigh bone, is an injury that can result from high-energy trauma, such as a fall from height, a motor vehicle accident, or a direct blow to the leg.
Physical therapy is often needed for a femur fracture to heal properly. This will enable you to comfortably bear weight on your injured leg to stand up, walk, go up and down stairs, and exercise.
This article will review physical therapy exercises for a femur fracture, a recovery timeline, and tips for getting started.
Location and Pain Sensation of a Broken Femur
Afemur fractureis very painful. Pain can also radiate to the outside of the thigh, to the back of the hip, or into the groin. Putting weight on your leg to stand up or walk will be incredibly difficult and painful, if not impossible.
When to Begin Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation for a femur fracture should start as soon as possible. Most femur fractures require surgery within 24 to 48 hours after injury to realign your bone so it can begin to heal.
If you are allowed to bear weight on your injured leg, using a walker within the first 48 hours after surgery is important for your recovery. Early rehabilitation is important, as it is common to lose more than 50% of your leg muscle strength of the fractured leg within the first week of surgery.
You may be sent to an inpatient rehabilitation facility if you have significant pain and difficulty bearing weight on your leg for several days. You will work with a healthcare team to control your pain and improve your mobility before you can safely be sent home.
If your femur fracture is severe, you may not be able to bear weight on your leg for six to 12 weeks. In these cases, you will need to use crutches or a wheelchair to get around. You will be instructed how to get in and out of chairs and on and off the toilet without standing on your injured leg.
A physical therapist will also provide safe exercises to maintain your leg’s range of motion while you are not allowed to stand on your leg.
Broken Femur: Causes and Treatment
Femur Fracture Physical Therapy Exercises
Exercises for a femur fracture include moving your hip through its full range of motion and increasing the strength of your glute andquadricep muscles. You will start with non-weight-bearing exercises and gradually progress as you can tolerate putting more weight on your leg.
Before starting any exercise routine, consult with your healthcare provider and/or physical therapist first, especially if you’re recovering from surgery.
Straight Leg Raise
Straight leg raiseshelp improve the strength of your hip flexors to lift your leg and quadriceps to stabilize your knee.
To perform this exercise:
Bridges
Bridges help move your hip joint into extension and improve the strength of your glutes.These muscles support and stabilize your legs when walking, climbing stairs, and standing up. The glutes also provide strength and stability for your legs to help with balance.
Clamshells
Clamshells help strengthen the glute muscles, specifically the gluteus medius muscles on the sides of the hips. These muscles keep you balanced when moving and changing directions.
Standing Hip Extension
This exercise helps strengthen your glute muscles.
Standing Hip Abduction
This exercise helps strengthen the gluteus medius muscles on the sides of the hips.
Sit to Stand
This exercise helps strengthen the glute and quadricep muscles to improve your ability to bend down, squat, and get in and out of a chair.
Step-ups
During recovery from a femur fracture, you will needcrutchesor awalkerto help support your body weight and limit the pressure on your leg when walking. If you are not allowed to stand on your leg, you may need a wheelchair for the initial weeks following surgery.
Once you build up enough leg strength to support your weight and improve your balance, you may be able to progress to using a cane or no assistive device at all to help you walk.
5 Types of Effective Walking Aids
A femur fracture can take three to six months or more to heal completely depending on the severity of your fracture.Your pain levels and ability to walk will typically improve well after one month of being able to put weight on your leg after surgery.
During your recovery, walking and standing for long periods of time will be difficult at first. This can impact your ability to work and engage in family and social activities. Make sure you attend regular physical therapy visits to ensure your leg heals properly.
Your healthcare provider may recommend you aphysical therapist. You can also do an internet search for physical therapy practices near your home. Or you can use the “find a provider” search function on the website of your health insurance company to find physical therapists that accept your insurance.
Physical therapists work at various locations, including private clinics, hospitals, and healthcare providers’ offices. At-home care services can be used to deliver physical therapy to people who have difficulty with transportation.
Thecostof your physical therapy visits will depend on your individual coverage. Most insurance companies approve a certain amount of visits at a time or per year, but these visits can often be extended if treatment is considered medically necessary.
Your health insurance may fully cover your visits, or you may have to pay a certain amount for each visit, such as a:
Summary
Physical therapy for a femur fracture should start as soon as possible after surgery. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may not be able to bear weight on your leg after surgery and will need crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair to get around.
A physical therapist will work with you to improve your mobility, the strength of surrounding muscles, ability to walk, and balance with various leg exercises.
A Word From Verywell
Getting up and moving after a femur fracture is important for recovery to help you return to your daily activities and movements. The more actively engaged you are in your rehabilitation process, the better the chance of a successful recovery.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA femur break can make your leg shorter if your femur heals in a shortened position, especially if it was broken in several places. Your surgeon will fix it as best as possible to preserve the full length of your leg.A broken femur can take three to six months to heal.Some facilities require a prescription from a referring healthcare provider to start physical therapy. In contrast, other facilities operate under direct access, where you can call and request an initial evaluation appointment without a prescription.No. Walking after a femur fracture is a goal that is typically achieved within the first few weeks after surgery. You will need a walker or crutches to walk at the beginning of your rehabilitation until you build enough strength.
A femur break can make your leg shorter if your femur heals in a shortened position, especially if it was broken in several places. Your surgeon will fix it as best as possible to preserve the full length of your leg.
A broken femur can take three to six months to heal.
Some facilities require a prescription from a referring healthcare provider to start physical therapy. In contrast, other facilities operate under direct access, where you can call and request an initial evaluation appointment without a prescription.
No. Walking after a femur fracture is a goal that is typically achieved within the first few weeks after surgery. You will need a walker or crutches to walk at the beginning of your rehabilitation until you build enough strength.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lee KJ, Um SH, Kim YH.Postoperative rehabilitation after hip fracture: a literature review.Hip Pelvis. 2020;32(3):125-131. doi:10.5371/hp.2020.32.3.125American Council on Exercise.Muscles that move the leg.American Council on Exercise.8 butt-toning moves.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Femur shaft fractures (broken thighbone).
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lee KJ, Um SH, Kim YH.Postoperative rehabilitation after hip fracture: a literature review.Hip Pelvis. 2020;32(3):125-131. doi:10.5371/hp.2020.32.3.125American Council on Exercise.Muscles that move the leg.American Council on Exercise.8 butt-toning moves.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Femur shaft fractures (broken thighbone).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lee KJ, Um SH, Kim YH.Postoperative rehabilitation after hip fracture: a literature review.Hip Pelvis. 2020;32(3):125-131. doi:10.5371/hp.2020.32.3.125American Council on Exercise.Muscles that move the leg.American Council on Exercise.8 butt-toning moves.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Femur shaft fractures (broken thighbone).
Lee KJ, Um SH, Kim YH.Postoperative rehabilitation after hip fracture: a literature review.Hip Pelvis. 2020;32(3):125-131. doi:10.5371/hp.2020.32.3.125
American Council on Exercise.Muscles that move the leg.
American Council on Exercise.8 butt-toning moves.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Femur shaft fractures (broken thighbone).
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