How to Treat Blood Loss Caused by Femur Fracture

The femur is the largest bone in the human body. Because of its size, a large blood supply goes to it. If the femur is fractured, significant blood loss can result, depending on the extent and type of fracture. Treatment of blood loss due to a femur fracture will be slightly different in a hospital setting versus a pre-hospital setting.

Instructions

• 1

  Assess the amount of blood loss. The amount of bleeding from a femur fracture may vary depending on whether the fracture is open or closed. Look for obvious signs of bleeding, such as a bone protruding and gashes in the skin. Keep in mind bleeding may also occur internally.

• 2

  Determine if the femoral artery was damaged. The femoral artery is located in the groin and supplies blood to the femur. It's a large artery. If it was damaged or cut due to a fracture of the femur, the injured person can suffer extreme blood loss. If the femoral artery is bleeding, it's medical emergency. Call 911 immediately.

• 3

  Stop the blood loss. In a pre-hospital setting, you can stop blood loss by applying direct pressure on the bleed. Place a clean cloth over the bleeding area and apply direct pressure. Don't apply pressure to a bone that's sticking out. Keep applying pressure until either the bleeding had stopped or medical help arrives.

• 4

  Watch for signs of shock. Shock can occur when the body loses too much blood. Sighs of shock include confusion, dizziness, a weak rapid pulse, low blood pressure and shallow breathing. In a hospital, the victim may receive intravenous along with other medications to treat shock.

• 5

  Reduce the fracture to prevent further blood loss. This means the bones are realigned so healing can begin. A doctor may use a plaster splint to hold the bones in place and immobilize the leg. The injured person may also require traction, depending on the extent and type of femur fracture.

• 6

  Give blood. If a femur fracture caused extreme blood loss, the injured person may require a transfusion. The injured person's blood type is determined and matching donor blood is given to replace what was lost.