The thigh bone, also called the "femur", is the largest and strongest bone in your body. A femur fracture is a crack or a break of this bone.
You can fracture your femur if you fall hard on your leg. A road accident may cause a fracture. Conditions that weaken your bones make a fracture more likely.
Femur fractures can happen near the hip socket, along the shaft (the middle) of the bone, or down near the knee. Your bone may break in a clean line. It may break at an angle or in a spiral pattern. It can break into many pieces. With a very serious break, a piece of bone may pierce through the skin.
If you break your femur, it hurts a lot. You won't be able to put weight on your leg. Your leg may look shorter than normal. It may not be straight.
Most femur fractures need surgery. You may need a cast or a brace. Physical therapy is an important part of recovery. Your healthcare provider can create a care plan that is right for your needs.