Fracture recovery isn’t the most pleasant experience. Patients are crowded with many questions in mind, often getting anxious about their progress in getting back to “normal life”.
Some of these questions are recurring.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about fracture recovery:
(Note that if you or someone you know have sustained a fracture, whatever questions you have, you should pose that to a fracture treatment doctor in Kolkata. Remember, different patients respond differently during the recovery phase.)
1. What helps broken bones heal faster?
Rest is the first thing to do when you have a broken bone. You’ll need to keep the affected area still, elevated, and iced.
From there, you can help speed the healing process by following the treatment plan your doctor gives you. You might also want to eat foods that are rich in nutrients that promote healing, like vitamin C and zinc. Doing so can help reduce the risk of complications and speed up recovery.
2. What are the 4 stages of fracture healing?
Your body has a well-organized and complex method called bone healing for repairing broken bones. Bone healing occurs in four stages:
- Hematoma formation
- Fibrocartilaginous callus formation
- Bony callus formation
- Bone remodeling
3. How do you know when a fracture is healed?
You know a bone is healed when it’s strong enough for you to return to your normal level of function. You will notice proper balance, flexibility, and strength at the fracture site. That said, In general, the only way to be sure that your fracture has healed is through an x-ray.
4. How long do bones take to heal?
The time it takes for a bone to heal varies based on the type of fracture and the location of the break. Factors such as age, general health, and whether or not someone smokes can also affect healing. For example, children have a faster rate of healing than adults because they have an abundance of growth hormones. Smokers can take up to twice as long for their bones to heal due to decreased blood flow to the injury site.
5. Can a fracture heal in 4 weeks?
It depends on the bone and the type of fracture, but most fractures will heal in about 6-8 weeks with proper rest and care. However, this time frame might be longer or shorter depending on the nature of the fracture, as well as other factors such as age and overall health.
6. Can a healed fracture still hurt?
It is normal to experience some pain for a short time after a broken bone has healed. However, in some cases, the pain persists for months or even years after healing is complete. This condition is called chronic pain.
In general, when someone complains of persistent pain in an area where there was a fracture, it’s usually the result of some type of arthritis or degenerative changes. Consult the best osteoporosis surgeon or other specialists.
Continue Reading: Fracture Recovery: 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions (Part 2/2)