Today my son fell at the playground and broke his arm. How long will the bone
take to heal?
– Debra
Broken bones have an
amazing ability to heal, especially in children. New bone forms within a few weeks
of the injury, although full healing
can take longer.
Your son's arm was probably put in a cast
or splint. Casts and
splints hold broken bones in place as they heal. Be sure to take
care of the cast or splint so that it stays in good condition and doesn't cause
skin irritation.
A broken bone is a common, treatable childhood injury. Most breaks heal well. Within
a few months, kids usually are back to all the activities they enjoyed before the
broken bone.
