What are the most common type of fractures in the hip, knee, ankle, and foot that require physical therapy as part of the healing process?

Common Fractures of the Leg, Ankle, and Foot

A broken leg can be a painful and scary injury. It can lead to significant loss of function and may interrupt normal work and recreational activity. A leg fracture, if not properly cared for, may cause long-lasting impairments such as loss of range of motion (ROM) or decreased strength. Therefore, physical therapy after a fracture is often very important.

Many people wonder if a broken leg and a fractured leg mean the same thing. They do. If your doctor tells you that you have fractured your thigh bone, it means that your thigh has been broken.﻿﻿

Leg fractures are almost always caused by trauma to the body. Falling, athletic injuries or motor vehicle accidents can all cause a bone in your leg to break.

Symptoms include, but are not limited to, pain, difficulty walking, bruising, discoloration and swelling, or an obvious deformity in the leg.﻿﻿ If you suspect you have a broken leg, knee, ankle or foot, you must seek medical attention right away. Call your doctor or go to your local emergency department to get an accurate diagnosis of your problem and receive proper treatment. Failure to do so can lead to long-term disability and loss of function.

Initial treatment for a leg fracture includes reduction of the fracture and immobilization.﻿﻿ Reduction is the process where the broken bones are put back into their correct position. This is often done manually, but a surgical procedure called an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) may be necessary for severe fractures. Immobilization is the process of keeping the bones in place with the use of a cast or brace to ensure that proper healing takes place.

Once your fracture has sufficiently healed, you may be referred to a physical therapist to help improve your mobility and function. Your physical therapist can help you choose the right assistive device to help with walking during the early stages of healing if needed, and can guide you in the proper exercises to help improve strength and range of motion after a fracture.

Below is a list of common fractures that can happen in your lower body that often require physical therapy to restore functional mobility.