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CostHelper > Health & Personal Care  > Orthopedics and Injuries > Broken Leg

Broken Leg Cost


How Much Does a Broken Leg Cost?

 
low costWith Insurance: Copays & Coinsurance up to Out of Pocket Maximumaverage costNon-surgical Treatment: $2,000+high costSurgical Treatment: $17,000-$35,000+
Typical costs:
  • Without health insurance, non-surgical treatment for a broken leg typically costs up to $2,500 or more for a fracture that requires a cast. A leg X-ray costs an average of $210, according to NewChoiceHealth.com[1] , but can cost as much as $1,000 or more at some radiology centers. And application of a short or long leg cast costs about $221 to $238, not including the doctor fee, according to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center[2] in Lincoln, Nebraska. A typical doctor fee for non-surgical treatment of a fracture would include $90 to $200 for the office visit and from $250 to $950 for treatment, according to Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Associates[3] .
  • Without health insurance, surgical treatment of a broken leg typically costs $17,000 to $35,000 or more. For example, at the Kapiolani Medical Center in Hawaii, repair of an uncomplicated leg fracture[4] costs about $16,082, while repair of a complicated leg fracture[5] costs about $33,565, not including the surgeon's fee. A typical surgeon's fee could reach $2,000 or more, according to Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Associates[6] .
  • A broken leg generally would be covered by health insurance. With health insurance, typical expenses for treatment for a broken leg could include doctor visit copays and treatment coinsurance that could reach thousands of dollars or the yearly out-of-pocket maximum.
Related articles: Broken Arm, Broken Tailbone Treatment, Sprained or Broken Ankle, Crutches, Wheelchair, Cane

What should be included:
  • For a hairline fracture or less complicated fracture, the doctor would realign the bones (called a "reduction") if necessary, then place a plaster cast on the leg; depending on the location of the break, this could be a short leg cast or a full leg cast.
  • For surgical treatment, the patient typically would be placed under general anesthesia; then, the surgeon would make an incision and place screws and/or other hardware to hold the bones in place during healing.
  • The Mayo Clinic[7] has an overview of treatments typically used for a broken leg. Recovery typically takes at least six to eight weeks, according to WebMD[8] .
Additional costs:
  • Going to an emergency room for treatment initially could add $1,000 to $2,000 or more to the final bill; costs would include an emergency room visit fee, an emergency room doctor fee and the cost of a temporary cast such as an air cast; the patient would then need to seek treatment from a specialist.
  • Crutches cost about $15 to $40 for a basic pair or up to $100 or more for deluxe forearm crutches.
  • Physical therapy might be necessary to help regain strength and balance. Several sessions per week at $50 to $75 per hour for six to eight weeks could cost $1,000 or more.
  • For patients who have a broken bone treated surgically, metal hardware usually can be left in, unless it causes irritation; if removal is required, it can cost between $2,533 and $11,710 or more, according to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center[9] in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Discounts:
  • Some orthopedic specialists offer discounts for uninsured/cash paying patients. For example, Southern California Orthopedic Institute offers discounted services for cash-paying patients, and Northwest Community Hospital Orthopedic Services Center[10] , in Chicago, offers discounts for prompt payment.
  • Some free clinics, such as Community Health Free Clinic[11] in Chicago, offer orthopedic specialty care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services[12] offers a directory of federally funded health centers; if the nearest clinic doesn't offer orthopedic care, ask for a referral.
Shopping for a broken leg:
  • The general practitioner can refer the patient to a specialist. Or, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery[13] offers an orthopedic surgeon finder by city, state or zip code. If the break resulted from a sports injury, the patient could seek treatment from a sports medicine specialist, which could be either a family physician or an orthopedic surgeon; the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine[14] has a doctor finder.
  • If surgery is required, risks include: reaction to anesthesia, infection, blood clots, reaction to hardware and even death.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Broken Tib/Fib
Amount: $50,000.00
Posted by: Dieselwrench93 in Spartanburg, SC.Posted: September 18th, 2021 12:09PM
Type of Injury: Tib/ Fib fracturesType of Treatment: Internal Fixation
Medical Facility: Spartanburg RegionalInsurance Carrier: None
Total before "discounts" was $85,952. I suffered a spiral fracture of my tibia down 1/3 of the bone and fractures of Tib & Fib below the knee. I had a rod placed in my tibia,a plate to hold the upper tibia fracture, and 14 screws to hold everything in place. The surgery was performed by Carolina Ortho cited 6th in the article above. I'm still in recovery so more costs to come and the 50k is just the hospital, not PT, follow-ups etc. So far satisfied with surgery, but the costs of things itemized in the hospital bill are ridiculous! $130 per minute at 210 minutes operating time ($28k),up to $1400 per screw (14 total), $10k in I.V.s and pain meds. $700 per blood clot shot that cost me $3.20 a piece when discharged! $2k a night room and board $12k anesthesia, and the list just goes on for pages.
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Tibia Plataue Fracture
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: ILLMATTER in Fredericksburg, VA.Posted: July 12th, 2020 03:07PM
Type of Injury: Tibia Plataue FractureType of Treatment: Titanium Plate and Screws
Medical Facility: HospitalInsurance Carrier: United Health Care
Fractured the Tibia Plateau in half and had cartilage damage. Titanium plate and 9 screws. 3 months of non weight bearing and 18 weeks of PT. Still do not have full range of motion no matter how much I stretch.
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NHS Service UK
Amount: $125.00
Posted by: Matthew Gibson in Nottingham UK, Other.Posted: October 3rd, 2019 11:10PM
Type of Injury: Both broken arms, legs, ribs and collarType of Treatment: Major surgery
Medical Facility: Queens Medical Centre Nottingham UKInsurance Carrier: NHS (National Health Services)
I was born in the UK and you always seem to knock the waiting lists we have to wait for treatment of non urgent illnesses in the UK when compared to your waiting times. Well I earn around £50,000 per annum and I pay what's called National Insurance out of my salary each month which is taken automatically from my salary. The cost of this is about £140 ($125 roughly) per month and EVERY hospital, doctors surgery visit is completely FREE of charge. I was involved in a very serious car accident and was in an induced coma for 4 weeks whilst they rebuild both arms, both legs, my right knee, right eye socket and right collar bone and I was in ICU for 5 weeks and left hospital after 3 months

I estimate the total cost of all care of in the USA to be approximately £2M. But all it cost me was the equivalent of $125 per month. So whilst my NHS has its problems, it saved my life at the point of need and is and will always be FREE of charge at point of use.
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Broken leg
Amount: $109,111.00
Posted by: Total shock in Rolla, MO.Posted: June 22nd, 2019 05:06PM
Type of Injury: Tib/ double FibType of Treatment: Tib rod/ Fib plate 14 nails/ screws
This don't include surgeons fee
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Broken ankle
Amount: $9,685.86
Posted by: Timoty Kindred in San Antnoio, TX.Posted: May 14th, 2018 06:05PM
Medical Facility: UTHSCInsurance Carrier: Allstate
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Broken fibula
Amount: $186.00
Posted by: Americanhealthcareistooexpensivr in Crete, NE.Posted: December 14th, 2017 03:12PM
Medical Facility: Kuta Raya General Hospital (Bali, Indon)Insurance Carrier: None
I got into a scooter accident while traveling in Bali and had to make an emergency room visit to see why my leg was numbing. Had quick and excellent care and was given a cd of my X-rays to get further opinions from American orthopedist if I so desired. The bottom line is American healthcare is a joke and we pay extraordinary amounts for basic services.
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Broken femur
Amount: $109,000.00
Posted by: The real 801 in Colorado springs, CO.Posted: September 7th, 2017 10:09AM
Medical Facility: Penrose hospitalInsurance Carrier: Kaiser
This is for a broken femur with i.m. nail installed, not including the 21,700 flight for life bill... This was a 130,000 + dirtbike crash.
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Tibia plateau fracture/ knee capsule rupture//3 torn ligaments
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Xoxo in Los Angeles, CA.Posted: July 5th, 2017 01:07AM
Medical Facility: fountain valley regional CaliforniaInsurance Carrier: Obamacare
I once thought Imanaged just fine without insurance, paying cash for appts if I needed to see a doc.
Until I fell and broke my leg, a doctor tried to stick me in an ambulance at the ER and send me home. The nurse caring for me refused to leave after her shift was over, she stayed by my bed and waited for a social worker to get involved with my predicament.
They informed me I was being dumped by the hospital because I had no insurance, when the hospital is going to survive just fine and had a legal obligation to inform me I was covered under Obamacare the ER doc on call just didn't want to accept the rate they would pay him. I waited almost 2 weeks for surgery to with my leg shattered in 6 places. I heard they can charge over 100k for complicated breaks if you have good insurance but if your on government funded programs the set rate is about $10,000.
Thank God some doctors will work for the lower rate, my life changed dramatically the moment I tripped on a cracked
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Broken Leg
Amount: $60,000.00
Posted by: MADMOMMY in Orange County, CA.Posted: April 25th, 2017 04:04PM
Type of Injury: Broken LegType of Treatment: Cast, X Rays, Physical Therapy
My daughter was at a trampoline park and broke it, I was appalled and furious I had to pay this much because she was messing around. To pay $60,000 on something that could have been avoided is the most wasteful thing I think I have ever had to do.
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Broken Tibia & Fibula
Amount: $53,747.03
Posted by: Best Skier Never in Truckee, CA.Posted: April 18th, 2017 01:04PM
Medical Facility: Tahoe Forest Hospital DistrictInsurance Carrier: United Healthcare
Surgery & Hospitalisation:
Insurer Paid $46,869.58
I Paid $3673.92
Ambulance For Bleeding From Wound Following Discharge:
Billed: $2,821.53
(I've fighting with these characters to make them bill my insurer; avoid AMR like the plague if at all possible!)
Brace & Crutches: $382.00
Unincluded but maybe helpful fkr readers:
Physical therapy twice weekly; my insurer pays 90% and I must pay 10%.
Prescriptions for drugs and supplies to alleviate pain and enable basic chores (cold packs, a shower bench, urinal, etc.)
Costs for drivers and a personal assitant (if you live alone and break your leg, you will almost certainly incur such costs!)
Removal of hardware (I'm informed this will almost certainly be deemed elective surgery, and insurers pay nothing...).
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Tibia Depressed Fracture with 6 Pins
Amount: $181,477.80
Posted by: Darrel in SAN JOSE, CA.Posted: April 21st, 2016 12:04PM
Type of Injury: Minor Broken LegType of Treatment: repaied with pins
Medical Facility: St. Louise - Gilroy CAInsurance Carrier: Medicare
Average charge for the pins - $2,000 each
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Broken Tib/Fib
Amount: $100.00
Posted by: Emmy in Fairfax, VA.Posted: January 19th, 2016 10:01AM
Type of Injury: Closed FactureType of Treatment: Intramedullary Rod with 4 screws
Medical Facility: Fairfax HospitalInsurance Carrier: Cigna
I had 2 surgeries and spent 4 days in the hospital with meals included. I only paid $100.00 with insurance.
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Spiral fracture femur 3 year old spica cast no screws/pins
Amount: $15,030.00
Posted by: Buttons in Grand Rapids, MI.Posted: July 14th, 2015 08:07AM
Type of Injury: femur spiral fractureType of Treatment: non incision surgery
Medical Facility: Spectrum HealthInsurance Carrier: Aetna
Aetna picked up $9218 of the total bill.
ANESTHESIA $402 and $603
Surgery to set cast (no incision) $1418
X-ray $116
X-Ray $71 (double billed?)
Urgert care doctor $238
ambulance to spectrum $582.50 (i could of saved $800 by going straight to ER)
It seems everytime a nurse comes into the room i got some sort of bill / misc charge for $200-400 even if they didnt do anything That over the course of 36 hours and you have a $15,030 bill
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broken tibia `& fibia
Amount: $82,300.00
Posted by: i3700 in Danville, PA.Posted: August 7th, 2014 07:08PM
Medical Facility: Geisinger Hospital Danville PaInsurance Carrier: Amerihealth Nj
Seams at least double what it should be in my opinion these figures are based on benifits statement from amerihealth not the bill from hospital wich we have yet to receive and am not looking forward to because according. To amerihealth 82,300. And they only covered shy of 10,000 leaving us responsible for 72,000 WTF! Never will we be able to pay that! Plates rod screws and nails by the way
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Hairline fracture and torn acl.
Amount: $5,000.00
Posted by: Patientenuff in Brooklyn, NY.Posted: August 8th, 2013 12:08PM
Type of Injury: Blunt traumaType of Treatment:
Medical Facility: Insurance Carrier: N/a
Are screws neccessary for a hairline fracture. I have to have reconstructive surgery on my acl, and they say I need 5k just for the screws. I need help...I'm stressed out and in pain. Now I have to take a ridiculous loan and hope this is the solution. Please any feedback is helpful.
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Surgical treatment for a fractured tibia/ fibula
Amount: $57,925.87
Posted by: Bankrupt mominTX in Houston, TX.Posted: April 19th, 2013 12:04PM
Type of Injury: fractured tib/fibType of Treatment: rod/screws implant
Medical Facility: Methodist WillowbrookInsurance Carrier: None
Agree with the person stating $3000 for a broken ankle is sad but doable. How is it possible for the hospital alone, not even including DRs fees to be over $57000, yes, $57000?!?! That is NOT a typo! For a broken leg. It wasn't even a compound fracture. Disagree with media Mom, gov't involvement is the problem, not the solution. More competition and price posting. Insurance companies refusing to be gouged. Avoid Houston's Methodist hospitals! They will take advantage of you!
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Hairline Fracture of a chid's (age 8) tibia
Amount: $1,396.00
Posted by: David L. in Danbury, CT.Posted: February 2nd, 2013 12:02PM
Type of Injury: Hairline Fracture of a TibiaType of Treatment: Crutches
Medical Facility: Danbury Orthopedic AssociatesInsurance Carrier: Blue Cross of Illinois
My son had a hairline fracture of his right tibia. One office visit, one set of x-rays and crutches. Insurance brought the bill down to $805.84.
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Broken leg in two parts of my leg
Amount: $6,469.00
Posted by: vaquandra in greensboro, NC.Posted: December 23rd, 2012 05:12AM
Type of Injury: leg broken in two placesType of Treatment: long leg cast big brace a air boot
Medical Facility: discount medicasInsurance Carrier: none
i did all this on the 4th of july and i am still using crutches now and will have to use them for the rest of my life
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broken leg with steel implant
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: mark blanchard in nacogdoches, TX.Posted: November 19th, 2012 05:11PM
Type of Injury: broken legType of Treatment: surgury to repair and implant steel rod
Medical Facility: nacogdoches medicalInsurance Carrier: scott and white
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broken ankle
Amount: $18,000.00
Posted by: Jsmooth in Greensboro, NC.Posted: November 1st, 2012 09:11PM
Type of Injury: broken ankleType of Treatment: screws, cast
Medical Facility: Cone HospitalInsurance Carrier: none
Am I doing something wrong? the earlier comments mention getting the ankle fixed for a reasonable sum. 21,000 all things included is outrageous, 3,000 is bad news but do-able. I have no idea how I'm going to pay these bills
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Broken ankle
Amount: $3,000.00
Posted by: Media Mom in media, PA.Posted: October 22nd, 2012 06:10AM
Type of Injury: broken ankleType of Treatment: cast
Medical Facility: PremiereInsurance Carrier: none
This is why we need universal health care! A simple broken ankle
should not cost $3,000!d If the gov't were involved, it would put competition in to the market to help lower such obnoxious costs. And I DO have insurance--they paid $50.00!
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broken thigh
Amount: $2,000.00
Posted by: Jonas wiafe Akenteng in ACCRA, Other.Posted: December 14th, 2011 07:12AM
Type of Injury: broken thighType of Treatment: plate ad screw
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External Resources:
  1.  www.newchoicehealth.com/Directory/Procedure/104/Leg%20X-Ray
  2.  tp.chi.acelogicus.net/nese/Default.aspx
  3.  www.c-osa.com/charges.htm
  4.  www.palimomi.org/my-hospital-bill/uninsured-calculator.aspx
  5.  www.palimomi.org/my-hospital-bill/uninsured-calculator.aspx
  6.  www.c-osa.com/charges.htm
  7.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/broken-leg/DS00978/DSECTION=treatments%2Dand%2Ddrugs
  8.  www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/broken-leg?page=3
  9.  tp.chi.acelogicus.net/nese/Default.aspx
  10.  www.nch.org/medical-services/orthopedic-services/index.php
  11.  www.communityhfc.org/referals.htm
  12.  findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
  13.  www.abos.org/find-a-certified-orthopaedic-surgeon.aspx
  14.  www.aoasm.org/find-a-do/
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