Healing a broken bone doesn’t have to be just a waiting game — put on the cast and sit back to wait. There are some things you can do to help a bone heal after an injury.
- If you’re a smoker — STOP. Patients who smoke take a longer time to heal (on average) than those who do not. Smokers are also at higher risk of developing a nonunion — a bone that doesn’t heal correctly. Why? Smoking can alter the blood flow to your bones, depriving a healing area of necessary nutrients.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Your body needs more fuel to heal than it does to simply maintain bone health. Don’t just focus on calcium — make sure your diet contains a variety of foods to ensure you get all the nutrients you need. Calcium is necessary for bone healing, but upping only your calcium isn’t going to help you heal any faster.
- Follow the treatment plan your doctor sets. If you are supposed to wear a cast or use crutches, do it. Changing the treatment plan ahead of the schedule your doctor sets can delay your recovery. Don’t assume that a lack of pain means the injury has healed, either.
- Ask about alternative treatments. For example, certain foot fractures may heal faster with surgery, rather than with a cast and crutches. Be sure to weigh the risks and benefits — the time saved healing against the risks of surgery. In some cases, treatments with magnets, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound could help a broken bone heal.
Keep in mind that the most important factor in healing a broken bone is time. However, other factors like age, overall state of health, nutrition during recovery, blood flow to the affected area, and following the treatment plan can help healing times be as short as possible — while still leaving you whole and healthy.