Pediatric Femur Fracture

Pediatric Femur Fracture Specialist

Children, when fall hard on the ground or get hit during sports, automobile accidents, etc., are at a higher risk of femur fracture. Pediatric femur fracture specialist, Dr. Kelechi Okoroha provides diagnosis and individualized non-surgical and surgical management for pediatric femur fractures in Minneapolis. Contact Dr. Okoroha’s team for an appointment today!

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The femur or thighbone is the largest and strongest bone in the human body. Pediatric thighbone fractures can occur when your child falls hard on the ground and gets hit during sports, automobile accidents and child abuse. In a thighbone fracture, the broken bones may be aligned or displaced. The fracture can either be closed (with skin intact) or open (with the bone piercing out through the skin).

When a femur fracture is suspected in your child, it is important to schedule an orthopedic consultation for proper examination and care. Dr. Kelechi Okoroha is a pediatric femur fracture specialist who provides detailed examination and care for children with femur fractures in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Minnesota and beyond.

Your child may experience severe pain, swelling, inability to stand and walk, and limited range-of-motion of the hip or knee.

The diagnosis of femur fracture in your child is based on a thorough physical examination performed by Dr. Okoroha. An X-ray or CT scan may be recommended to locate the position and number of fractures, and determine if the growth plate is damaged.

Pediatric femur fractures may be treated with nonsurgical or surgical methods. After careful review of your child’s history and examination, Dr. Okoroha will provide an individualized treatment plan to help your child return to normal function.

Nonsurgical treatment involves stabilizing the bones so they can heal and fuse together. Braces, spica casting (cast applied from the chest, down the fractured leg) or traction (placing the leg in a weight system) may be applied to ensure that the bones are properly set in their normal position.

If the injuries are complicated and nonsurgical treatments do not alleviate your child’s symptoms, Dr. Okoroha may recommend surgery. Dr. Okoroha aligns the broken bones and uses metal plates and screws to hold the fractured bones together in proper alignment. Your child may have to wear a cast for a few weeks until complete healing. An external fixator may be used in case of open injury to the skin and muscles.