Breaking a bone isn’t fun. Not only does it hurt, but it can stop you from doing things you enjoy. If you have broken a bone, you’re probably keen to know how soon it will mend. You may also be interested in ways to make your recovery more comfortable. In this post, we discuss how long it takes broken bones to heal and suggest some orthopaedic accessories that can make life a little easier.
Common types of bone breaks
Most breaks fall into one of the following categories:
- Stable: the ends of the bone are in line and barely out of place
- Traverse: the fracture runs across the bone horizontally
- Oblique: the break runs at an angle
- Comminuted: the bone shatters into three or more pieces
- Compound: the broken bone pierces the skin.
The most common causes of broken bones are trauma, osteoporosis and overuse/stress. Men 45 years and younger are more likely to suffer a fracture than women. However, after 45, women take the lead. The group with the highest number of fractures is those in the 75-plus age bracket.
How long does a broken bone take to heal?
Of course, healing time depends on several things, like the type of break, the bone that is broken, your health and your age. Depending on the circumstances, fractures take between four weeks and three months to mend. As a rule, the smaller the bone, the faster it should heal.
The following chart is a useful guide (source)
|
Bone |
Healing time |
|
Collarbone |
4 – 8 weeks |
|
Shoulder blade |
6 – 8 weeks |
|
Ribs |
4 weeks |
|
Upper arm |
4 – 10 weeks |
|
Lower arm |
5 – 8 weeks |
|
Wrist |
4 – 12 weeks |
|
Finger |
3 – 6 weeks |
|
Pelvis |
4 – 6 weeks |
|
Upper leg |
12-plus weeks |
|
Lower leg |
2 – 24 weeks |
|
Ankle |
6 weeks |
|
Foot |
2 – 12 weeks |
|
Toe |
3 – 4 weeks |
Helpful orthopaedic accessories
When wearing a cast on your arm or leg, you must keep it dry. Consequently, showering is difficult and swimming? Forget about it! Actually, this needn’t be the case because you can now get orthopaedic accessories, such as waterproof cast covers, to return some normality to your life
What is a waterproof cast cover?
Well, once upon a time, it might be a plastic bag taped over a cast. Not anymore, though. Today, waterproof cast covers are available; made of rubber, they protect casts on arms and legs — as well as wounds and burns — from getting wet. You can also get covers to protect orthopaedic walking boots from the wind and rain.
Feeling itchy?
Ask anyone who has worn a cast, and one of the biggest irritations is that ‘unscratchable itch.’ Blowing cold air through your fiberglass cast with a blow dryer, or holding a vacuum cleaner against your cast can also help reduce the urge to itch.
What brilliant inventions!
Further Support and Guidance
Please note that the above guide is advisory only and should not replace any medical support or guidance. We recommend asking any questions you may have regarding your cast and injury during consultations. Do always take care with your cast, and never over-exert yourself.
About Heather Gatland
Chief Cast Cover Checker at Cast Covers NZ
After finding that Waterproof Cast Covers made life with a leg cast so much easier for showering and swimming, Heather wanted to help others to also have an easier recovery. So after extensively researching and extensively testing Cast Cover brands worldwide, Heather founded Cast Covers NZ in 2015. With her 5 years of “hands-on” experience working with medical professionals, hospitals, extensive business experience and Chartered Accountant qualification, Heather knows all the ins and outs of the Cast Covers market. Heather’s goal of helping kiwis, like herself has come true. Heather still loves researching and sharing her findings on the Cast Covers blog as well as enjoys supporting customers in getting back to feeling happy and active during their recovery.