Fractures of the Shaft of the Femur

The femur (figure 16.1) is the largest bone in the body of the long bone group, and supports the bulk of the body weight. It is a very strong bone and does not break easily in health. Proximally, the shaft of the femur is continuous with the trochanteric region, the neck and head of the femur. The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum of the innominate bone. Distally, the femur is continuous with the femoral condyles, which articulate with the tibial plateau at the knee joint.