Mid-shaft femur fracture

Includes all subtrochanteric femur fractures

Background

• Occurs with severe trauma or in association with pathological bone
  • Blood loss can be substantial (average loss = 1L)

Clinical Features

• Clinical presentation is similar to intertrochanteric fracture

Differential Diagnosis

Femur Fracture Types

Proximal

• Intracapsular
  • Femoral head fracture
  • Femoral neck fracture
• Extracapsular
  • Intertrochanteric femur fracture
  • Trochanteric femur fracture

Shaft

• Mid-shaft femur fracture (all subtrochanteric)

Management

• Consider traction split though little evidence to support its use
• Admit for ORIF