Long bone fracture management

  • A broken leg can be a significant threat to the continued ability to walk. This is why treatment with surgery should be considered to allow the boy with DMD to get back up on his feet as soon as possible. If a fracture does occur, make sure that your physiotherapist is notified.
  • If a boy who is still walking breaks his leg, internal fixation (that is surgery to stabilise the break as quickly as possible) is needed to resume walking and to have the greatest possible chance to maintain ambulation.
  • In boys who are no longer walking, a broken leg can be safely treated by splinting or casting, taking into account the functional position of the limb and possible development of contractures.

Information based on consensus statement (published in January 2010)