Mid-shaft femur fracture
Includes all subtrochanteric femur fractures
Background
- Occurs with severe trauma or in association with pathological bone
- Blood loss can be substantial (average loss = 1L)
Clinical Features
- Clinical presentation is similar to intertrochanteric fracture
- affected leg is shortened and externally rotated
Differential Diagnosis
Femur Fracture Types
Proximal
- Intracapsular
- Extracapsular
Shaft
- Mid-shaft femur fracture (all subtrochanteric)
Diagnosis
- Radiography
- obtain AP films of knee, femur, hip on bilateral legs
Management
- Consider traction splint
- Little evidence to support its use
- Theoretical benefit of traction splinting is reduction in bleeding and improved pain
- Sagar and Hare splints are commonly used by EMS providers
- ORIF
Disposition
- Admit