How to Heal a Broken Bone

Fractures or bone breaks are common injuries in the U.S. and around the world. In developed countries, on average, a person faces the risk of breaking a bone twice during their lifetime. Approximately 7 million bone fractures are reported annually in the U.S., with the most common breaks occurring in the wrist and hip. Most fractures require a cast, but there are still several things you can do to support the healing process.

See a doctor immediately. If you experience severe pain after a serious injury (such as a fall or car accident)—especially when hearing a crack or feeling swelling—you need to go to the hospital or a nearby clinic for medical evaluation. If the injury occurs in weight-bearing bones like the legs or pelvis, you should avoid putting pressure on it. Instead, ask someone to take you to the hospital or call an ambulance.

• Common signs and symptoms of a broken bone include: intense pain, visibly deformed bones or joints, nausea, limited mobility, numbness or tingling, swelling, and bruising.
• X-rays, bone imaging, MRIs, and CT scans help doctors diagnose fractures and their severity. Small cracks may not appear on X-rays until the swelling subsides (about a week later). X-rays are the most common tool for diagnosing major fractures.
• If the fracture is complicated, meaning it's broken into multiple pieces, the skin is pierced by bone, or the pieces are completely misaligned, surgery may be required.

Cast or Splint. Before applying a cast, it may be necessary to realign the bone to its original shape. In many cases, doctors use a technique called "reduction," where they pull both ends of the bone to create a binding force and manually reposition the bone fragments. If the fracture is more complex, surgery may be required, often involving metal rods, plates, or other tools to stabilize the bone.

• Plaster or fiberglass casts are the most common treatment for fractures. Most breaks will heal more quickly if the bone is properly aligned, compressed, and immobilized. Initially, doctors will apply a fiberglass splint around the fracture site, similar to a partial cast. After 3-7 days, when the swelling has almost subsided, they will apply a full cast.
• The cast is made from a soft padding layer covered with a hard exterior (such as plaster or, more commonly, fiberglass). You will need to wear the cast for 4-12 weeks, depending on the location and severity of the fracture.
• Alternatively, you may opt for a functional cast (such as a plastic boot) or a supportive brace instead of a rigid cast, depending on the type and location of the fracture.

Take Medication. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin are commonly used to manage pain and inflammation caused by bone fractures. Keep in mind that these medications can strain your stomach, kidneys, and liver, so it's best not to use them for more than two consecutive weeks.

• Children under 18 should never take aspirin due to its association with Reye's syndrome.
• You may consider alternative pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead of aspirin, but consult your doctor before combining NSAIDs and other pain medications.
• If the pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain medication while you are hospitalized.

Avoid Movement and Ice the Injury. After being discharged from the hospital, your doctor will advise you to elevate the fractured area and apply ice, whether it's still in a cast or splint, to reduce swelling and inflammation. Depending on your job and the location of the fracture, you may need to take time off work to recover, and possibly use crutches or a cane.

• Complete bed rest is not recommended for fractures that have been stabilized, as light movement (even around the joints near the fracture) is necessary to promote blood circulation and speed up healing.
• During the first few days, ice the injury for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours, and gradually reduce the frequency as pain and swelling decrease. Be sure to wrap the ice in a towel to avoid direct contact with your skin.

Apply Some Weight to the Fracture Site. Along with gentle movement of the joints around the fracture, you should begin applying light weight to the injury after about a week, especially if the break is in a weight-bearing bone like the leg or pelvis. Be sure to consult your doctor on when it is safe to start applying pressure to the broken bone. Lack of movement or complete immobility can delay the healing process, leading to bone demineralization and slowing down strength recovery. Applying weight and movement to the fracture can help the bone regain minerals, making it stronger and reducing the risk of future fractures.

• The bone healing process occurs in three stages: the inflammatory phase (where blood clots form between the fractured ends), the callus formation phase (where cells differentiate to create a bone callus across the fracture), and the remodeling phase (where new bone tissue is created and slowly restores the original shape).
• The healing time for a broken bone ranges from several weeks to months, depending on the severity of the fracture and your overall health. However, the pain should subside before the bone is stable enough to resume normal activities.

Care for Your Cast. Avoid getting your cast wet, whether it's made of plaster or fiberglass, as water will weaken it and it won't properly hold the bone in place. If necessary, use a plastic bag to cover the cast while showering. If you're wearing a plastic boot (commonly used for foot fractures), ensure it's properly adjusted to maintain pressure on the injured area.

• If your cast causes itching, never scratch underneath, as it could cause skin irritation and lead to infection. Seek medical attention if the cast gets wet, cracks, develops a foul smell, or if any discharge leaks out.
• It's important to move the joints that are not immobilized (elbows, knees, fingers, toes) to improve blood circulation, as oxygen and nutrients are essential for healing.

Consume Essential Nutrients. Just like any other tissue in your body, bones require proper nutrition to heal. A diet rich in minerals and vitamins can help accelerate bone healing. Focus on eating fresh produce, whole grains, lean meats, drinking plenty of water, and milk.

• Minerals such as calcium and magnesium are crucial for bone health. Foods rich in these nutrients include dairy products, tofu, beans, broccoli, seeds, sardines, and salmon.
• Avoid consuming foods that hinder the healing process, such as alcohol, sugary sodas, fast food, and refined sugars.

Consider Taking Supplements. While it's best to get nutrients through a balanced diet, when you have a broken bone, you may require more minerals essential for bone healing. Therefore, you might want to take supplements to avoid eating excessively, as overeating while being inactive can lead to weight gain, which is not ideal during recovery.

• Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are key minerals for bones, so look for supplements that contain all three. Adults generally need around 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium daily (depending on age and gender), but you may need slightly more to aid in fracture recovery. It's best to consult with your doctor or a nutritionist for advice.
• Other important trace minerals that you might consider adding are zinc, iron, boron, copper, and silicon.
• Essential vitamins for bone health include Vitamin D and K. Vitamin D is vital for calcium absorption from the digestive system into the bloodstream, and it’s produced by the skin when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin K helps bind calcium to bones and promotes collagen formation, which aids in bone healing.

Physical Therapy. Once your cast is removed, you'll notice that the muscles around the fracture site may appear shriveled and weak. To address this, you'll need to follow a rehabilitation regimen. A physical therapist will guide you through stretches and exercises to help strengthen the muscles around the injury. Typically, you'll need to attend physical therapy 2-3 times a week for 4-8 weeks to see positive results in the newly healed bone area. The therapist may also teach you exercises to perform at home without frequent clinic visits.

• If necessary, the physical therapist may use electrical stimulation to enhance muscle contraction and toning.
• Even after the cast and support devices are removed, you should limit activities until the bone is strong enough for normal function.

Consult with an orthopedic specialist. Orthopedic experts possess a deep understanding of bones and muscles, focusing on restoring normal joint, bone, and muscle function. Manipulating or adjusting joints is a technique used to relieve pressure or realign joints that have become dislocated or stiff due to an injury, which may have resulted in a fracture. Healthy joints allow for better bone movement and faster healing.

• When adjusting joints, you might hear a 'pop,' but this sound is unrelated to the crack of a broken bone.
• Although sometimes a single adjustment can restore full joint function, most cases require 3-5 sessions for noticeable results.

Consider acupuncture. Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points in the skin or muscles to alleviate pain and inflammation (particularly helpful in the acute phase of bone fractures) and may help accelerate healing. While not the primary treatment for fractures, acupuncture can serve as a secondary option. Some unverified sources suggest it may stimulate the healing process for musculoskeletal injuries. In general, this therapy is worth considering if it fits within your budget.

• According to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture helps reduce pain and inflammation by releasing substances like endorphins and serotonin.
• It is also believed that acupuncture stimulates the flow of energy, known as Qi or blood circulation, which may be key in speeding up the healing of wounds.
• Acupuncture is used by various health professionals, including doctors, orthopedic specialists, naturopaths, physical therapists, and massage therapists, but whoever you choose should be certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).