Skip to main content

Reasons Why Broken Bones Don't Heal - Explained

Broken bones are a common injury that can occur due to various reasons such as accidents, falls, or sports-related injuries. While most broken bones heal within a few weeks to months, there are instances where the bones fail to heal properly, resulting in chronic pain, deformity, or other complications. In this article, we will explore the reasons why broken bones don't heal and what can be done to address this issue.

Reasons why broken bones don't heal:

  1. Poor Blood Supply: Blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen that are necessary for bone healing. If a bone is not getting enough blood supply due to damage to the blood vessels or other reasons, it can impede the healing process.
  2. Infection: Infection is a significant risk factor for non-healing fractures. When bacteria invade the site of a broken bone, it can delay the healing process, increase the risk of complications, and even lead to bone death.
  3. Movement of Bones: Proper alignment and stability of bones are essential for bone healing. If there is excessive movement of the broken bone, it can interfere with the formation of new bone tissue and impede healing.
  4. Poor Nutrition: Nutrition plays a crucial role in bone healing. A diet lacking in essential nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium, and protein can slow down the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
  5. Age: Age is another factor that can affect bone healing. As we age, our bones become weaker and more prone to fractures. Additionally, older adults may have other health conditions that can interfere with bone healing.
  6. Smoking: Smoking can impede the healing process by reducing blood flow and oxygen supply to the bone. It can also increase the risk of infection, delay the formation of new bone tissue, and increase the risk of complications.
  7. Certain Medications: Some medications such as corticosteroids and chemotherapy drugs can interfere with bone healing by slowing down the formation of new bone tissue.

How to address non-healing fractures?

If you suspect that you have a non-healing fracture, it is essential to seek medical attention. Your doctor may recommend a variety of treatments, depending on the severity and underlying cause of the problem. Some of the common treatments include:

  • Immobilization: Immobilizing the affected bone using a cast, brace, or splint can help promote proper healing by reducing movement and instability.
  • Surgery: Surgery may be necessary if the bone is severely displaced, or if there are other complications such as infection or bone death.
  • Bone Stimulators: Bone stimulators are devices that use electrical or ultrasound waves to promote bone healing. They can be used as a non-invasive alternative to surgery in some cases.
  • Nutritional Supplements: Nutritional supplements such as vitamin D, calcium, and protein can help support bone healing and reduce the risk of complications.

FAQs:

Q. How long does it take for a broken bone to heal? 
A. The healing time for broken bones varies depending on several factors such as the severity of the injury, age, and overall health. Most bones take between 6-8 weeks to heal fully.

Q. Can a broken bone heal without a cast? 
A. In some cases, a broken bone can heal without a cast, but this is rare. In most cases, a cast, brace, or splint is necessary to promote proper healing.


Conclusion:

Broken bones can be a painful and frustrating experience, but they usually heal within a few weeks to months.

Labels

Topics:

Comments

Post a Comment

Please do not enter any spam link in the comment box.

Popular Posts

Fibula Fracture Treatment | Fibula Bone Fracture Surgery

A fibula fracture can either be an incomplete of complete break in the two outside bones of the leg which are found between the ankles and the knees. Fibula injuries are common but cases of severe bone displacements are very rare. Most of the fractures on this body part are only characterized as ankle sprains. Fibula injuries can happen in any part of the fibula bone. However, since this bone receives only 17% of the body weight when a person is standing up, the injuries it develop is not as severe compared to other bones that bears a lot of weight. Fibula Fracture Types •    Type A- fibular fracture situated underneath the joints of the ankle •    Type B- fibular fracture that occurs on the same level of the joint but with the  tibiofibular ligaments undamaged •    Type C- fibular fracture that occurs above the level of the joint. This type causes tears and breaks on the neighboring syndesmotic ligaments. Diagnosis Diagnosis for fibula fractures re...
1 comment
Read more

Penis Fracture Treatment | Penis Bone Fracture Surgery

The penis does not have any bone. However, it can still have a condition called penis fracture due to uncommon intercourse positions that require sudden thrust or untoward erection that is subjected with brute force. However, there are also cases of penis fracture that can happen due to outdoor activities. One scenario has been documented during a football game when a player suddenly had an erection and accidentally injured that part of the membrane of his penis. Scenarios that are more common include cases of hurried dressing while the penis is erect. Any form of miscalculated step while the penis is erect can lead to penis fractures. During normal circumstances, penis fractures are virtually impossible to happen. However, it has been observed that as the years progress the cases of penis bone fracture has also become frequent. There is no way of telling whether it is due to unconventional ways of masturbating, innovative sexual positions, or having hazardous and busy lifestyle. Types...
Post a Comment
Read more

Nasal Fracture Treatment | Nasal Bone Fracture Surgery

About Nasal Fracture The bone on the nose is prone to fractures when it gets hit with a strong and high impact force. This bone is found under the top part of the nose. A break on the nasal bone is called a nasal fracture. Among all the types of bone fractures, this ranks third. Thus, it can be regarded as quite a commonly occurring bone fracture. Symptoms Certain fracture symptoms will signal the occurrence of the fracture. These are: nosebleed facial swelling facial pain bruising tenderness difficulty in breathing using the nose deformed nose crepitus, which is the crunching sensation that is produced every time air is breathed in by the nose black eyes blocked nostrils Incidence When it comes to ranking the different types of fracture injury that can happen to humans, nasal bone fracture comes in third. This is quite a high ranking which means that the nasal cavity is prone to fractures. Moreover, nasal fractures are said to have caused 40 percent of damage to the face. During accid...
1 comment
Read more