Final answer:
A fractured femur can lead to conditions such as necrosis of the femoral neck or head, increased need for mobility assistance, and serious complications like pneumonia, pressure ulcers, thrombophlebitis, and pulmonary embolism, particularly in the elderly with conditions like osteoporosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
A fractured femur may present with various other conditions, especially in elderly individuals with weakened bones due to osteoporosis. A "broken hip," which is commonly a fracture of the femoral neck, can disrupt the blood supply to the femoral neck or head, leading to necrosis and potentially requiring surgical treatment. After surgery, mobility assistance is usually needed, and patients may face a high risk of complications, such as pneumonia, pressure ulcers (bedsores), and thrombophlebitis (deep vein thrombosis), which can result in a more severe condition like a pulmonary embolism. Furthermore, the immobility associated with the healing process of a hip fracture can lead to life-threatening complications such as the formation of blood clots that can lodge in the capillaries of the lungs, respiratory failure, urinary tract infections due to catheterization, and infections from pressure sores.