A broken leg (leg fracture) is a break or crack in one of the bones in the leg. Common causes include falls, car accidents and injuries sustained from contact sports. A broken leg might feel painful, look swollen or bruised and movement might be restricted. In all cases, medical examination of a broken leg is vital to determine the proper treatment and complete the healing process. The most common types of leg fractures are:
- Stress fractures
- Undisplaced or hairline fractures
- Displaced fractures
- Comminuted fracture s
- Open or compound fractures
Symptoms
The most common symptoms for a broken leg include:
- Intense pain, which may worsen with movement
- Swelling or tenderness around the area
- Contusions
- Deformity
- Restricted movement of the leg
Causes
Possible causes for a broken leg may include:
- Falls
- Sporting injuries
- Trauma injuries
- Child abuse
- Excessive use or repetitive movements of the leg
Risk factors
Factors relating to risk increase of a broken leg may be the result of repetitive stress on the leg bones from physical activities such as:
- Running, dancing, basketball, hockey, football, and others.
Stress fractures sustained outside of contact sports are more common in individuals who have:
- Bone Disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Diabetes
Complications
Complications of a broken leg may include:
- Knee or ankle pain
- Slow healing
- Abnormal bone growth
- Damaged muscle, nerves or blood vessels around the fracture
- Compartment syndrome
- Arthritis
- Osteomyelitis
Prevention
A few recommendations for preventing an unexpected leg injury may include:
- Wearing proper foot attire and replacing athletic shoes regularly
- Alternating activities
- Eating calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt and cheese, and others.
