Femoral Shaft Fracture Postoperative Protocol

The Reno Orthopedic Center Fracture and Trauma Surgeons have created postoperative fracture protocols for our patients. These are based on the latest orthopedic science and literature in order to give patients the most up to date care. Their content is designed to explain what type of injury was sustained, the type of surgery that was done and simple instructions for weight bearing, wound care, physical therapy, medicine and diet issues. Patients will hear similar information in each postoperative visit but it is easy to forget what is said. The following protocol is designed to help patients in their healing with a single resource for frequently asked questions.

What Was Broken

You broke your thigh bone which is called the femoral shaft. 

What Was Done in Surgery

Your femoral shaft was fixed with a titanium rod called an intramedullary nail. This construct usually consists of one large diameter rod placed inside the bone where your bone marrow is and is held in place with 2-4 screws at the top and bottom of the bone. This process does not remove your bone marrow but just compacts it. 

Follow Up Appointment 

You should see your surgeon or his physician assistant 10-14 days after surgery. Usually, this appointment is made when you schedule surgery. If you do not have one, please call the office to schedule at 775-786-3040 as soon as you can. You will be seen at 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months from surgery where the provider will examine you and x-rays will be taken to follow bone healing. 

Wound Care 

Your wound was closed with either sutures or staples. After 2 days you can take off the dressing. If the wound is dry, you do not need to cover it with a new bandage. If it is leaking, replace dressing with a clean gauze pad and tape.  

Showering 

You may shower immediately after surgery. Your dressing from surgery is waterproof. If it gets wet, remove the bandage, and place a new one. Do not immerse your wound in a bath or hot tub until your stiches or staples are removed 

Pain Control 

You have been given a prescription for narcotic pain medication. You can take 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours. It is ok to take anti-inflammatory medicine like Motrin (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) as well. Do not take more than 4 grams of Tylenol a day or it can hurt your internal organs. The orthopedic surgeon by law can only give you narcotic pain medicine for 2 weeks after surgery. This must be prescribed in only a 5 day supply each time. If you already get narcotics from your primary care doctor or pain management doctor the orthopedic surgeon cannot write you a separate prescription. If you need prolonged narcotics, we can refer you to a pain management specialist. If these rules are bent, the orthopedic surgeon can lose his medical license, insurance contracts and be unable to care for other patients like you. Please respect these regulations.  

Marijuana 

THC and CBD products can be helpful for postoperative pain and decrease the amount of narcotics you need. In Nevada, marijuana is legal, and you do not need a doctor’s prescription to get it. THC use avoids the constipation and addiction potential associated with narcotic use. Edible use avoids the other risks associated with smoke inhalation and has more controllable dosing. 

Diet 

Eat a well-balanced diet. If you are diabetic keep your blood sugar well controlled. High blood sugar can put you at risk for infection, wound complications and the bone not healing (nonunion).  

Sutures/Staples 

Your wound has been closed with sutures or staples depending on your surgeon’s preference. They will be removed at your first postoperative follow up appointment 10-14 days after surgery.  

Weight Bearing 

You can be weightbearing as tolerated immediately after surgery. You will have pain in your leg while it heals but it is safe to walk on it. Move your hip, knee and ankle as much as possible to avoid getting stiff. 

Blood Clot Prophylaxis 

Patients with pelvis and leg fractures are at risk to get blood clots in the legs that can dislodge and travel in the bloodstream to the lungs causing disability or death. There are several ways to decrease the risk of this complication. In the hospital you are given shots in the belly called Lovenox and have pneumatic compression devices on your legs. Once discharged home take one baby aspirin(81mg) a day for 2 weeks. Walking and moving as much as you can is also preventative. 

Physical Therapy 

Not all patients with femur fractures require physical therapy. If a patient is extremely stiff at their first postoperative visit and has trouble bending their hip or knee therapy will be started. Usually, patients do 1-2 visits with the therapists a week and must continue these exercises at home daily for a good result. Most patients need about 3-4 months of therapy to regain their preinjury range of motion and strength.  

Return to Work 

Patients can usually return to a desk job or light duty after a few days. Return without restriction to jobs that require heavy lifting or manual labor usually takes about 6 weeks 

Driving 

You may drive the day after surgery. You should not drive a car if you are still taking narcotic pain medication. Just remember that your reaction time will be slow for first 6 weeks so do not tailgate or drive too fast. 

Hardware Removal 

The intramedullary nail usually stays in for life and are not routinely removed. However, if the metal becomes infected or is painful 1 year after surgery it can be removed. Individual screws sometimes require removal to stimulate bone to heal in a process called dynamization  

Healing Time 

Femoral shaft fractures treated with surgery take about 3 months to heal completely. Younger patients heal slightly faster and older patients or those with diabetes take slightly longer to heal.