Treatment of a Broken Leg
Treatment of a Broken Leg depends on the type of fracture, location, severity, and the patient’s overall health and lifestyle. The goal of treatment of a broken leg is to align and stabilise the bone to promote healing, prevent complications, and restore full mobility.
For minor fractures where the bones remain in place, treatment may involve a cast or brace to immobilise the leg while it heals. This is common with hairline fractures or non-displaced breaks in the tibia or fibula. Crutches are often provided to reduce weight-bearing during recovery.
More severe or displaced fractures require a closed reduction — a non-surgical procedure where the doctor manually realigns the bone under local or general anaesthesia. After alignment, the leg is immobilised with a cast, and follow-up X-rays are taken to ensure proper healing.
In complex cases, surgery is necessary. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) involves inserting metal plates, screws, or rods to hold the bone in place. Femur fractures almost always require surgical repair due to the size and load-bearing function of the bone.
Compound fractures — where the bone breaks through the skin — are medical emergencies. They require immediate cleaning, antibiotics, and surgical fixation to prevent infection and further damage.
Treatment of a Broken Leg
Stress fractures usually respond well to rest, ice, and limited activity. In some cases, walking boots or braces are used to offload pressure from the affected bone.
Children heal faster and often require shorter immobilisation periods. However, careful monitoring is important to avoid growth disturbances. Elderly patients may take longer to heal and are at higher risk for complications such as blood clots or pneumonia.
Rehabilitation begins after the initial healing phase. Physical therapy focuses on improving strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Exercises gradually progress from non-weight-bearing to full activity over several weeks or months.
Timely and appropriate treatment of a broken leg significantly increases the chances of a full recovery and reduces the risk of permanent disability.
[Next: Complications and Recovery from a Broken Leg →]
