You Fractured a Bone. Here’s What To Expect.
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Chances are good that in your lifetime you’ll fracture a bone. It can happen in an instant. But the healing takes much longer and requires time and patience. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Charlotte Orr explains what to expect.
Diagnosing a fracture can be tricky. An athlete with intense training can sustain a stress fracture. Someone with osteoporosis can have a minor fall and break a bone. Or you could break a bone by falling off a bike or in a car accident. “First we’ll examine you for deformity, such as a straight bone that looks crooked, or a bone is sticking out of the skin. We also look for swelling and bruising. And we’ll take x-rays at different angles and examine those,” says Dr. Orr. “If the x-rays are normal but we’re still concerned, we may get a CT scan or MRI.”
Three Stages Of Healing
Healing occurs in three distinct stages, explains Dr. Orr. In the first stage, which lasts about a week, blood collects at the site of your injury and the area becomes inflamed. The second stage, repairing, takes another 2-3 weeks during which a soft callus forms at the fracture to stabilize it. The last stage is the remodeling stage where hard bone replaces the soft callus.
Each stage is important for the fracture to heal completely. “A fracture that doesn’t heal can cause continued pain and the inability to use that area of the body,” says Dr. Orr. “For example, a broken leg that doesn’t heal means you’ll have pain in your leg when trying to walk. You may be unable to walk, work, or take care of yourself depending on the location of the fracture.”
Nutrition Plays a Role
An unhealthy diet can cause a delay in the healing process, says Dr. Orr. Your body needs important building blocks including calcium, and vitamins D and C.
A healthy diet not only can speed healing, it also can decrease your risk of fracture. Avoid smoking and don’t consume excessive amounts of alcohol as this also can slow the healing process.
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Source: Charlotte Orr, MD, Premier Orthopedics; National Institutes of Health
