Physical Therapy for a Broken Leg

A broken leg often results in functional impairments, stiffness, and pain. This type of injury occurs when there is a crack or break in one of the bones in the leg. Common causes may include sports injuries, falls, and traffic collisions. Significant improvements in range of motion and function may be obtained through physical therapy. It may prove beneficial for patients receiving treatment and conservative management of a leg fracture.

A broken leg may be a painful injury for anyone to suffer. If you sustained a leg fracture in an accident caused by someone else’s wrongdoing, contact our law firm today to receive free, friendly advice from our experienced personal injury lawyers at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

Our personal injury law firm has handled cases like yours since 1982. With decades of collective experience, our attorneys have the resources and skills to devote to your claim. Our successful past case results may be attributed to our approach to treating each person we represent as a member of our family. Reach out to us to learn about your rights and potential options for recovery today.

When an individual has sustained a broken leg, it can be painful for them. A bone fracture requires immediate medical care to ensure proper alignment and healing of the broken bone. A physician will set or reduce the bone in which may be performed manually. In serious bone fracture cases of the thighbone (femur), a physician may perform a surgical procedure known as open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). It is often necessary to ensure the healing process occurs through the proper placement of all bone fragments.

After a broken femur, stabilization or immobilization of the bone is often needed to promote the healing process. This may be done through a cast. In simple fracture cases, the physician may apply a removable cast. This serves to allow gentle motion around the affected area. After an ORIF procedure or complex fracture, the patient may be required to wear an unremovable cast. Various devices may also be used to immobilize the femur, including commercial traction splints and weighted traction splints. It is essential for anyone who has suffered a femur fracture to contact their physician and follow their orders on immobilization.

A patient presenting with a broken leg may benefit from the care of a physical therapist (PT). Rehabilitation may help the patient regain functional mobility, strength, and range of motion after a broken femur. A physician may order physical therapy to ensure the patient returns to optimum function as soon as possible. After sustaining a fracture of the femur, the patient may encounter a PT at various times in the continuum of medical treatment.

In the hospital, a physical therapist may visit a patient who has a femur fracture. A physician may limit the amount of weight a patient may place on their leg. The PT will help the patient understand the restrictions that come with weight-bearing and teach them how to move around while maintaining them.

An initial encounter with a physical therapist will generally involve patient evaluation and assessment. The physical therapist may also measure the body parts surrounding the area of the fracture. This may include measurements of overall function and mobility, gait, swelling, girth, flexibility, pain, strength, and range of motion.

Once the initial evaluation has been completed, the PT will work with the patient to create a treatment plan to help them fully recover. Physical therapy after a broken femur will often focus on helping the patient overcome the negative effects of immobilization since it may cause decreased functional mobility and loss of strength and motion.

If a surgical procedure was necessary for setting the fracture, the physical therapist may assess the scarring from the surgery to see if the injury is healing properly. If the patient is presenting with surgical scar tissue, mobilization and massage may assist in improving mobility around the scarring and the reduction of scar adhesion.

Treating with a physical therapist after a broken femur may help the patient in improving their functional mobility. The PT may assist the patient in improving their walking and help determine whether they may walk with a standard cane, crutches, walker, or quad cane.

In physical therapy, modalities or physical agents may be used in relieving swelling and pain. Electrical stimulation may be used in the activation of skeletal muscle to promote rehabilitation through mimicking voluntary contractions. It is recommended that patients be engaged in active activities in rehabilitation while passive treatments like ultrasound or electrical stimulations are used.

The PT may introduce exercises to the patient intended to improve strength and range of motion. The focus will be on the injury site and the joints that surround the break. Exercise serves to ensure that the bone can tolerate the stresses and loads the patient may encounter during daily activities. The patient needs to discuss what exercises are best suited for their condition with their physician and PT.

Each femur fracture case is different. Therefore, each patient may heal at a different rate. It takes approximately eight weeks in general for the healing of a fracture. However, various factors may influence recovery time, such as the patient’s age, history, type of fracture, and more. The PT will provide the patient an idea of how long their rehabilitation program should expect to last.

A broken leg may be painful and may result in a significant loss of function. The main goal after a fracture is for the patient to work to regain strength and mobility. Physical therapy is essential in the recovery process as it may assist the patient in returning to optimum functional mobility. Without proper rehabilitation, the patient may suffer from complications such as weakness, inflammation, and chronic pain. Any of these may cause difficulty performing physical activities and walking.

After an accident resulting in traumatic injuries such as a broken leg, injured parties may qualify for financial recovery of medical expenses, lost income, and other losses related to the incident. It is essential to review the claim with an injury lawyer as several factors may influence the case, such as the nature of injuries and length of recovery. Each case is subject to a two-year statute of limitations outlined in the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss the situation with an attorney right away.

The purpose of damages in a personal injury claim is to compensate an injured party (plaintiff) for actual losses caused by the at-fault party (defendant). Therefore, California law allows plaintiffs to seek reimbursement of economic damages such as medical bills from the defendant in a civil case. Payment of medical expenses incurred will depend on the evidence provided in establishing they are reasonable and necessary.

In California, the injured party is generally entitled to compensation for payments made out of pocket for the actual dollar value. This may include payments to the pharmacy for prescription medication, health insurance deductibles, co-payments, and more. Insurance companies often inspect amounts for services charged by physicians for accident-related treatment visits. If the charges are deemed unusually high in comparison to other physicians in the area, then the insurer may have reason to challenge the value of services being billed to the patient.

The process for providing proof of medical treatment and expenses for injuries related to an accident is generally simple. The submitted medical records contain details on the billed treatment and indicate the services provided for accident-related injuries. These charges are generally included in the value of a personal injury claim. The records may also include information on the period that a patient is under a physician’s care.

There may be factors that may prompt disputes regarding charges for medical care. This may include gaps in treatment or charges for experimental or unusual treatments. For the patient, it is essential to discuss their case with an injury lawyer before changing or concluding treatment programs. Failing to follow physician orders or ending treatment early will lead to potential health implications and impact the claim. For details on the types of factors that may affect the value of a case, watch this video.

If you have suffered a traumatic injury in an accident such as a broken leg, you may find yourself paying for medical expenses related to the incident before receiving any compensation from the insurance company representing the at-fault. One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of a personal injury claim is reimbursement of medical bills. It is crucial to understand that not all expenses for medical care may be reimbursed unless they have been proven to be reasonable and necessary through evidence.

Insurance companies are in the business of devaluing claims as a way of protecting their bottom line. In such situations, it is essential to work with a personal injury lawyer who can provide the proper evidence that reimbursement of accident-related treatment is reasonable and necessary. To get started, reach out to our legal team today to receive free, friendly advice from one of our femur fracture lawyers at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. Unlike insurers, our attorneys will always have your best interests at heart.

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