Femur & Tibia Fracture Nailing Surgery at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Andheri East
A broken femur or tibia needs something to hold it in alignment while it heals. Fracture nailing surgery provides that, using a metal rod passed through the hollow core of the bone as an internal splint. It keeps the broken ends in line, so the bone does not shift or shorten during healing. The technique varies with the location of the break, from fractures near the hip end of the thigh bone to breaks along the shaft of the femur or tibia. CritiCare Asia Hospitals is an orthopaedic hospital in Mumbai where fracture care is organised so that imaging, evaluation and the surgical plan move forward without delay. Early planning matters because early mobility is one of the reasons nailing is chosen, and fracture nailing surgery in Andheri East is planned with that in mind.
Symptoms
- Severe pain in the thigh or lower leg after an injury
- Inability to bear weight
- Swelling and bruising around the fracture
- A bent, shortened or misaligned leg
- Numbness or coldness below the injury, which needs urgent attention
Our orthopaedic surgeons in Mumbai assess leg fractures promptly and recommend a plan.
When Nailing Is Recommended
Simple, stable, non-displaced fractures sometimes heal in a cast. Nailing is recommended for:
- Displaced fractures with shifted fragments
- Fractures along the shaft of the femur or tibia, particularly from high-energy trauma
- Fractures unlikely to heal with external immobilisation alone
- Cases needing early mobility, since nailing allows weight-bearing sooner than a cast
Types of Nailing
Proximal femur nailing treats fractures near the hip, common after falls in older adults with reduced bone density. Femur and tibia shaft nailing treats breaks along the straight part of the bone, typically from road accidents or sports injuries. Both use an intramedullary nail, with entry point, design, and locking screws depending on fracture location.
In closed nailing, the surgeon guides the nail under X-ray through a small incision away from the break, without opening the fracture. It is preferred where possible because less tissue disruption generally means faster healing and lower infection risk. Open nailing is needed when the fracture is complex, displaced, or comminuted, and the site must be exposed to realign the bone before the nail goes in.
Risk Factors
- Infection at the incision or within the bone
- Delayed union or non-union
- Nerve or blood vessel injury near the surgical site
- Blood clots, especially deep vein thrombosis, early in recovery
- Nail or screw irritation, occasionally needing removal after healing
Age, bone quality, smoking and uncontrolled diabetes can raise these risks, so a full health review precedes surgery.
Prevention
Most femur and tibia fractures follow falls, road accidents or sports trauma. Home safety and lighting reduce falls in older adults, seatbelts and road safety practices lower the odds of high-impact injury, and people with weakening bone density can seek medical guidance. None of this removes risk, but it meaningfully lowers it.
Rehabilitation and Return to Mobility
Recovery follows a broadly similar pattern, though each fracture heals on its own schedule. The first couple of weeks centre on pain control and gentle movement, with crutches or a walker. Physiotherapy begins around then to keep adjacent joints from stiffening, with strengthening once range of motion returns. Full weight-bearing tends to arrive between three and six months, depending on the fracture. Follow-up X-rays track healing. Time away from work is usually needed early on, and the likely length is worth discussing with your surgeon in advance.
Treatment Options and Procedure
Imaging comes first, with X-rays and a CT scan where the pattern needs closer inspection. Blood tests, a general health check, and an anaesthesia evaluation follow. General or regional anaesthesia is standard for most femur and tibia fractures.
The surgeon makes a small incision near the knee or hip and threads a metal nail down the marrow canal, tracking it with X-ray. Locking screws at both ends prevent rotation and hold the fracture steady while healing takes over. The fracture site generally stays untouched, which limits tissue damage.
After tibia or femur fracture surgery in Mumbai, pain management begins immediately, with monitoring of swelling and circulation. Most patients start assisted movement within a day or two, and many can bear partial weight much sooner than with a cast.
Femur & Tibia Fracture Nailing Surgery at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Andheri East
A fractured femur or tibia needs prompt, precise treatment to heal correctly and avoid long-term mobility issues. At CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Andheri East, the orthopaedic team evaluates each fracture individually using imaging and clinical assessment, selecting the nailing technique suited to its location and severity. Speak to an orthopaedic specialist at our hospital about femur and tibia fracture treatment in Andheri East.