The femur is the longest, thickest, and strongest bone in the human body, providing support to the upper body and ensuring energy is distributed downward. It is often involved in hip replacement surgery and fractures, which can take three to six months to heal. Risk factors for hip fractures include aging, osteoporosis, and high-impact activities. Precautions such as exercise, a calcium-rich diet, and protective gear can help prevent hip fractures.
The femur is the longest, thickest and strongest bone in the human body. It extends from the pelvis to the top of the knee and typically measures about 20 inches (50 centimeters) in an average sized person. More accurately called the femoral bone, this critical component of the human anatomy provides support to the entire upper body and ensures that energy is distributed downward to the foot. The bone is the site of most hip fractures and is therefore typically one of the primary bones involved in hip replacement surgery.
One of several bones that enable the human body to fight gravity, the femur plays an essential role in standing, walking, running and jumping. Its shape, like a hollow cylinder, gives it the strength necessary to withstand great stresses and bear heavy weights. The head of the bone is formed like a ball and fits into a socket deep in the pelvis called the acetabulum. Connecting the head to the thinnest shaft section of the bone is the femoral neck. Just below the neck, there is a bump on the outside called the greater trochanter. The large buttock muscles attach to the femur at the bump.
Femur fractures typically occur in the neck of the bone. In young people, breaks usually occur following a serious fall, blow, athletic injury, or traffic accident. The cause in older people may be that and may be accelerated by osteoporosis which weakens the bones. Older people also sometimes experience fractures of the femur in an area slightly below the neck in what is called the intertrochanteric region. Breaks of the femur in any of these areas for both young and old are usually referred to as hip fractures and are normally considered serious injuries. A fracture can take three to six months to heal.
Risk factors for hip fractures typically include playing high-contact sports such as soccer or hockey, aging, developing osteoporosis, decreasing muscle mass, and suffering from diseases that often attack bones such as cancer. Several precautions may offer protection against hip fractures including avoiding activities that carry a high risk of major impact, keeping active to stay limber, exercising to build muscle strength needed to make falls less likely, eating calcium-rich foods, and vitamin D, wear seat belts when driving or operating a vehicle, and wear the proper protective gear and padding when playing sports or other athletic activities.
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