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June 19, 2013
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Broken Leg (cont.)

Medical Author:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Broken Leg Diagnosis

The doctor will examine the patient's leg for evidence of a break (fracture). If the doctor suspects that a bone has been broken, X-rays will be ordered.

  • The doctor also will look for signs that an artery or nerve was damaged or injured. To do this, the doctor will feel for pulses and test the strength and sense of touch below the injury.
  • If the doctor suspects some other medical condition has caused weakening of the bone leading to the fracture, other lab tests may be ordered.
  • Diagnosis of stress fractures are often difficult, and special studies beyond X-rays may be needed.

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Broken Leg - Symptoms

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What type of leg fracture did you suffer?

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Femur Injuries and Fractures »

The spectrum of femoral shaft fractures is wide and ranges from nondisplaced femoral stress fractures to fractures associated with severe comminution andsignificant soft-tissue injury.

Read More on Medscape Reference »


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