How to Heal Your Fractured Bone Faster?

Dr.Bharat Bahre, 3 mins read

Bone is a living tissue that makes up the skeleton, which supports and structures the body. A bone fracture does not only limit your daily activities but also causes a lot of pain. Add to that the long healing period, which goes up to six months. And in some cases, it takes up to a year to completely heal.

But there are some ways to speed up your recovery process and get back to your normal activities faster. Here, we have got all these things covered for you.

Understand the Bone Healing Process

Before discussing the tips for faster fracture healing, let’s first know how the bone heals. So, there are three stages of bone healing.

Inflammation: The first stage is inflammation, which is a natural response of the body immediately after the injury. Inflammation can last for several days to weeks depending on your treatment regimen and severity of the injury. It can also cause pain, for which you may need to take pain medicines.

Repair: As you go through the treatment regimen and follow the rehabilitation, your body starts repairing the damaged bone tissue. This stage can last for several weeks and involves the formation of a soft callus, which eventually hardens into a bony callus. The bone callus acts as a bridge to hold the bony fragments together until new bone cells grow to heal the fracture.

Remodeling: This final stage of fracture repair can last for several weeks to months. It involves the reshaping and strengthening of the newly formed bone tissue.

Tips for Faster Bone Healing

Now, that you are aware of the healing process, let’s look at the ways to heal your fractured bone faster:

Proper Nutrition: Adequate nutrition is crucial for overall health, including bone healing. Make sure you take enough calcium, vitamin D, C, B12, B6 & K, and protein. You can discuss with a dietitian for a personalised diet chart plan.

Stay Hydrated: Along with a nutritious diet, drinking plenty of water is crucial for bone healing. Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day. Also, include water-rich fruits in your meal.

Rest and Recovery: Rest is another crucial aspect that helps in bone healing. Aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Also, avoid putting weight or stress on the affected bone.

Physical Therapy: Exercise is a must for bone and muscle health. It not only strengthens them but also helps in their healing process. It also prevents bone stiffness and weakness. Discuss with a physiotherapist to develop a personalized exercise plan.

Manage Pain: Fractured bones cause a lot of pain, which is unbearable. That’s why effective pain management plays a very important role in this. Use pain medication as directed, and consider alternative pain management techniques like acupuncture or massage therapy after discussing with your doctor.

Avoid Smoking: Smoking can significantly affect blood flow to the bones, which can delay the healing process. So, quitting smoking is not only good for bone healing but for overall health as well.

Limit Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with bone healing by reducing bone density. So, limiting or stopping alcohol intake is a wise decision.

Manage Chronic Conditions: Conditions like diabetes can affect the healing process. So, keep a continuous check on your vitals and take appropriate actions when needed.

Follow Your Doctor's Advice: Finally, it's essential to consult your doctor's advice and attend all scheduled follow-up appointments. Your doctor will monitor your progress and adjust your medicines and treatment regimen accordingly.