There are numerous diseases that can affect the femur or thighbone. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the femur is the longest and strongest bone in the body, and it takes a tremendous amount of force to fracture the shaft of the femur. However, non-traumatic conditions or diseases of the femur are relatively common, and range from mild to severe. Pain or discomfort in the hip, thigh or knee may signal an underlying bone disease in the femur.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease
Legg-Calvé-Perthes, or LCP disease, is a disease that affects the femur. According to the Mayo Clinic website, LCP is a degenerative hip joint disease that occurs among children, and is characterized by inadequate blood supply to the ball portion of the hip joint, or the femoral head. Without sufficient blood flow, the femoral head may become unstable, breaking easily and healing haphazardly. The hip joint may also partially collapse and deformities may arise in the ball of the femur and the hip joint's surface. LCP typically affects one hip, but it can affect both hips, and is most common in boys aged two to 12 years. The earlier a child develops LCP, the better the long-term outcome, as there is more time to reshape the involved bone. LCP can lead to osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease in adults.
Ewing's Sarcoma
Ewing's sarcoma is a malignant bone tumor that can affect the femur. CancerIndex.org notes that the peak ages for developing Ewing's sarcoma are between 10 and 20, but younger children and older adults can develop it, as well. According to the National Institutes of Health, Ewing's sarcoma usually develops during puberty, when a person's bones are growing quickly. It's more common in males, and is 10 times as common in Caucasians, relative to African-Americans and Asians. Although the tumor can originate in any body part, it typically arises in the long bones of the arms and legs, including the femur. The tumor may also develop in the pelvis, chest, skull or trunk. Common sites of tumor metastasis—locations to which the tumor spreads—include the lungs and other bones. According to the NIH, the prognosis for Ewing's sarcoma depends on the location of the tumor and whether it has spread.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that can affect the femur. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis is a debilitating disease in which bone mineral density is decreased, making bones more fragile and susceptible to fractures. If a person does not take action to prevent or treat osteoporosis, the disease, which is painless, can advance until a bone fractures or breaks. The most common locations for osteoporosis-related fractures include the spine, wrist and hip, especially around the proximal or uppermost portion of the femur. The NOF states that hip fractures can be particularly debilitating, and almost always require hospitalization and surgery to repair. Hip fractures can significantly affect a person's daily activities, including walking, and can even lead to permanent disability or death. Fortunately, most cases of osteoporosis can be prevented and treated.
