How long does a fracture take to heal?
How long does a fracture take to heal?
Fractures take 4 – 6 weeks to heal. The fractured bone regains full strength after an additional 2 months.
When a person fractures a bone, a gap develops within the bone. Bone cells, namely osteoblasts, form new bone (1, 2). The new bone fills up the gap and the fractures heals.
For 4 – 6 weeks the orthopedic surgeon places a cast around the fracture. Although the doctor removes the cast after 4 -6 weeks, full function returns after another 2 months. Patients often complain of join stiffness when the surgeon removes the cast. The stiffness results because of lack of movement of joints which cast enclosed.
For example, if a person fractures his/her wrist, the orthopedic surgeon places a cast around the wrist. The cast extends downward to enclose the fingers. For 4 – 6 weeks the patient cannot bend his/her fingers because of which stiffness develops.
Additionally, if the patient moves his/her wrist, the wrist hurts. Pain subsides slowly and ceases after 2 months. At the end of 2 months the patient can perform any activity including sports.
In conclusion, fractures heal within 4 – 6 weeks. But the bone takes an additional 2 months to regain full strength.
Source(s):
- Engstrom JW. Obesity. In: Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci AS, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Jameson JL, editors. Harrison’s principles of internal medicine. 16th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005. p. 2029.
- Bone cells, MedicaLook Human Anatomy, 2008, retrieved 6 March 2008.