How to Heal Broken Bones

Fractures or fractures are common injuries in the United States and around the world. In fact, in developed countries, the average person is at risk of breaking a bone twice during their lifetime. ^{[1] X Sources of Study} Approximately 7 million fractures are reported each year in the United States, most commonly in the wrist and hip. ^{[2] X Source of Research} Most fractures require a cast, but there are other things you can do to aid healing.

Table of Contents

Go to the Hospital

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See a doctor immediately. If you feel a lot of pain after a major injury (fall or car accident) – especially when you hear a crackling sound or have swelling – then you need to go to a hospital or clinic near the accident site to get checked out. medical examination. If the injury occurs in a weight-bearing bone such as the leg or pelvis, you must not put pressure on it. Instead, you have to have someone else drive you to the hospital, or call an ambulance to pick you up.

Common signs and symptoms of a fracture include: severe pain, significant bone or joint deformity, nausea, limited mobility, numbness or tingling, swelling and bruising. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
X-rays, bone scans, MRIs, and CTs are tools that help doctors diagnose broken bones and the severity, and small cracks may not show up on x-rays until the swelling has subsided (approximately approx. a week later). X-rays are the most common method for diagnosing severe broken bones.
If the fracture is complex, i.e. broken into multiple pieces, skin is inserted into the bone, and/or the bone fragments are completely out of alignment, surgery must be performed. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Cast or splint. Before a cast, you sometimes need to put the bones back into their original shape. In many cases, the doctor has to use the technique of “osteopathy”, which is to pull the ends of the bones to create adhesion and manually arrange the bone fragments. ^{[5] X Source of Study} If the fracture is more complex, surgery is required and usually a metal rod, forceps, or other tools are used to fix it.

Plaster or fiberglass immobilization is the most common treatment for broken bones. ^{[6] X Research Source} Most fractures heal faster if they are properly positioned, compressed, and immobilized. Initially, the doctor used a splint made of fiberglass on the outside, similar to a partial cast. After 3-7 days when the swelling is almost completely gone, they will put on a full cast.
The cast mold is made of a soft padding and a hard outer sheath (such as a Paris cast or, more commonly, fiberglass). You will need to wear the cast for 4-12 weeks, depending on the fracture and the extent of the fracture. ^{[7] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}
Instead, you can use a functional bunion (like wearing plastic boots) or a support device instead of a cast – depending on the type and location of the fracture.

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Take medicines. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin are temporary treatments to relieve pain or inflammation caused by broken bones. ^{[8] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} You should remember that these medications force the stomach, kidneys, and liver to work harder, so it’s best not to take them for more than 2 weeks in a row.

Children under 18 should never take aspirin because of its association with Reye’s syndrome.
You should take other pain relievers instead of aspirin, such as acetaminophen (Tylep), but do not take them with an NSAID before consulting your doctor.
If you’re in too much pain, your doctor may give you a stronger prescription medication while you’re in the hospital.

Taking Care of Broken Bones at Home

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Do not move the injured area and apply ice. After you leave the hospital, your doctor will tell you to elevate the fracture and apply ice, regardless of the cast or splint, to reduce swelling and inflammation. ^{[9] X Source of Research} Depending on your job and the location of the broken bone, you may need to take a short break from work to recover and may need to use crutches or a cane.

Full bed rest for fixed fractures is not a good idea, as you always need a little movement (even in the surrounding joints) to promote blood circulation for the wound to heal. .
For the first few days, you should apply ice for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours, then gradually reduce the frequency when pain and swelling have reduced, remember to never apply ice directly to the skin, but wrap it in a towel. take a shower.

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Put some weight on the break. In addition to slight movement in the joints around the fracture, you should put less weight on it after about a week, especially when the fracture is in a load-bearing bone such as the leg or pelvis. Remember to ask your doctor when you can put pressure on the broken bone. The lack of movement or complete immobilization will prolong the healing time, thereby depleting the bone mineral, adversely affecting the process of restoring bone strength. ^{[10] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source} If you move and put weight on your bones, more minerals seem to be concentrated in the bones, making them stronger and reducing the risk of future fractures.

The healing process of broken bones consists of three stages: the first stage, also known as the inflammatory phase (hematoma forms between the two ends of the fracture), the osteogenic phase (differentiated cells form the bone can bridge over the fracture). ), and the rehabilitation phase (new bone is born and slowly regenerates to its original shape). ^{[11] X Research Source}
It takes weeks to months for a broken bone to heal, depending on the severity of the break and your health. But the pain goes away before the fracture is stable enough to engage in normal activity.

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Take care of the cast. Do not wet a cast, whether plaster or fiberglass, as it softens when wet and cannot hold the broken bone in place. ^{[12] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to source} If necessary use a plastic bag around the cast when showering. If you’re wearing plastic compression boots (usually used for foot fractures), be sure to keep the pressure consistent.

If the cast is causing the skin to itch, do not scratch anywhere underneath, as this can scratch the skin, leading to an infection. Go to the hospital to have the cast checked if the cast is wet, cracked, has a bad smell, or is leaking.
Mobilize joints without constriction (elbows, knees, fingers, toes) to stimulate blood circulation, as the blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.

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Consume essential nutrients. Bones, like all other tissues in the body, need nutrients for healing. A diet rich in minerals and vitamins can support faster bone healing. ^{[13] X Research Source} You should focus on eating fresh produce, whole grains, lean meat, and drinking plenty of water and milk.

Minerals like calcium and magnesium are important for bones, and good food sources include: dairy products, tofu, beans, broccoli, seeds, sardines, and salmon.
Avoid consuming foods that hinder the healing process such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, fast food and foods high in refined sugars.

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Consider taking supplements. It is still best to have a balanced diet to absorb the necessary nutrients, but when bones are broken, you need a lot of important minerals for bones, so you should take supplements to not have to eat much. More, because providing a lot of calories and being sedentary will lead to weight gain, which is not a good outcome after the bone heals.

Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are basic bone minerals, so you should look to take a supplement containing these three. For example, adults need about 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium per day (depending on age and gender), but you need a little more for a fracture, so it’s best to consult a doctor or dietitian. ^{[14] X Research Source}
Important trace minerals to consider adding are: zinc, iron, boron, copper and silicon.
Vitamins to supplement are D and K. Vitamin D is extremely important for the absorption of minerals from the intestines into the bloodstream, in addition, the skin also produces vitamin D when exposed to bright sunlight in the summer. ^{[15] X Research Source} Vitamin K binds calcium to bone and stimulates the formation of cplagen, a substance that aids in bone healing.

Rehabilitation Training

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Physiotherapy practice. After the cast is removed, you will notice that the muscle around the fracture is wrinkled and weak. If that’s the case, you need to have a rehabilitation exercise approach. Your physiotherapist will show you some stretches and exercises to help strengthen muscles at the site of injury. ^{[16] X Source of Study} You usually have to do physical therapy 2-3 times per week and exercise for 4-8 weeks to get positive results on the area where the broken bone has just healed. Experts can show you how to exercise at home without having to go back and forth to the clinic.

If needed, the physiotherapist can stimulate contraction and increase muscle tone with electrotherapy, i.e. electrical muscle stimulation.
Even with the cast and support removed, you should limit your activity until your bones are strong enough for normal activity.

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Check with a doctor who specializes in orthopedics. Orthopedic specialists are very knowledgeable about muscles and bones, they focus on restoring normal movement function for joints, bones and muscles. ^{[17] X Source of Research} Arthritis or joint adjustment is a method of decompressing or repositioning joints that have been dislocated or frozen due to impact leading to a previous fracture. Healthy joints allow bones to move and heal faster.

When chiropractic, you often hear a “pop”, completely unrelated to the sound when breaking a bone.
While sometimes just one manipulation can completely restore joint mobility, in most cases it takes 3-5 manipulations to see significant results.

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Try acupuncture. Acupuncture means inserting fine needles into specific points in the skin or muscle to reduce pain and inflammation (helpful for the acute phase of a fracture) and potentially promote faster healing of the fracture. ^{[18] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to the Source} Acupuncture is not a recommended treatment for broken bones but should be viewed as a second option. However, there is unknown information that it can stimulate healing in cases of musculoskeletal injuries. All in all, this therapy is well worth a try if you have the budget.

Based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture helps reduce pain and inflammation by releasing certain substances such as endorphins and serotonin.
It is also confirmed that acupuncture stimulates the flow of energy, also known as qi, which is the key to faster wound healing.
Acupuncture is used by many health professionals, including doctors, chiropractors, naturopaths, physiotherapists, massage therapists, but whoever you choose must be certified by the National Accreditation Commission for Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Advice

Always have regular follow-up visits to make sure your bones are progressing well, and let your doctor know about your concerns while waiting for the bone to heal.
Do not smoke, as it has been shown that smokers have a harder time healing broken bones. ^{[19] X Research Source}
Osteoporosis (brittle bones) significantly increases the risk of fractures in the arms, legs, pelvis, and spine. ^{[20] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}
Reduce repetitive movements, as these movements cause muscle fatigue and put more pressure on the bones, leading to compression fractures.

Steps

Go to the Hospital

Taking Care of Broken Bones at Home

Rehabilitation Training

Advice

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