How Broken Bones Healenteenshttps://kidshealth.org/EN/images/headers/DESIGN-1168_How_Broken_Bones_Heal_esHD_1.jpgBroken bones have an amazing ability to heal. New bone forms within a few weeks of the injury, although full healing can take longer.bones, broken bones, fracture, fractures, fractured, broken bones heal, fractures heal, bone healing, casts, splints, how long does it take for a broken bone to heal06/01/201804/23/201904/23/2019Richard W. Kruse, DO and Susan M. Dubowy, PA-C06/01/20181ddb8927-b800-45d2-aeae-65034297a617https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/broken-bones-heal.html/<p><a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/broken-bones.html/">Broken bones</a> have an amazing ability to heal, especially in young people. New bone forms within a few weeks of the injury, although full healing can take longer.</p>
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<h3>How Do Casts & Splints Help Broken Bones Heal?</h3>
<p><a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/casts.html/">Casts</a> and <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/splints.html/">splints</a> hold broken bones in place while they heal. New hard bone forms in about 3–6 weeks, and the cast or splint usually can come off.</p>
<p>After the cast or splint <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/cast-care.html/">comes off</a>, you may not be ready to return to gym and sports right away. Your <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/bones-muscles-joints.html/">muscles</a> may be weak or stiff, and your bone may need more time to get stronger.</p>
<p>Your doctor may recommend <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/pt.html/">physical therapy</a> to help with healing. Often, just time, <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/stretching.html/">stretching</a>, and regular activity is enough for healing.</p>
<h3>How Can I Help My Bone Heal?</h3>
<p>To help your broken bone heal:</p>
<ul class="kh_longline_list">
<li>Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/calcium.html/">calcium</a> and <a class="kh_anchor">vitamin D</a>.</li>
<li>Take good care of the cast or splint.</li>
<li>Rest and/or do any exercises that your doctor recommends.</li>
</ul>
<p>Broken bones are common in teens. Most breaks heal well, and within a few months you'll be back to all the things you did before the injury.</p>Bones, Muscles, and JointsOur bones, muscles, and joints form our musculoskeletal system and enable us to do everyday physical activities.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/bones-muscles-joints.html/d55a922b-e87a-49e0-82ae-0c5a0773cee9Broken BonesBones are tough stuff - but even tough stuff can break. Find out what happens when a bone fractures.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/broken-bones.html/476538a9-5cb5-422b-89b1-8a93f30a8fceBroken Collarbone (Clavicle Fracture)A broken collarbone is one of the most common types of broken bones. Find out how it can happen - and how to treat and avoid fractures.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/clavicle-fracture.html/d87eef43-1e98-4e7a-ac55-4724e26a5f80Buckle FracturesA buckle or torus fracture is a type of broken bone. One side of the bone bends, raising a little buckle, without breaking the other side of the bone. Teens don't usually get this type of fracture.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/fractures-buckle.html/92a651c4-df33-47ae-859e-8b3e0392347eCastsThis article for teens has tips on taking care of a cast so it keeps working as it should.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/casts.html/67cfd3da-36ea-4b8a-bc2d-c887e5da6fccComminuted FracturesA comminuted fracture is a type of broken bone. The bone is broken into more than two pieces.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/fractures-comminuted.html/3c1f78b0-0b4f-4f49-aee4-ea548d5c2100First Aid: Broken BonesA broken bone requires emergency medical care. Here's what to do.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/broken-bones-first-aid.html/1a32dfbd-33dc-40cf-9811-cb96a19c1cfeGreenstick FracturesA greenstick fracture is a type of broken bone. The bone cracks on one side only, not all the way through the bone. https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/fractures-greenstick.html/1a116ee5-5312-4696-ab1f-00dbddf78f90SplintsA splint is a support device that keeps an injured area from moving. Doctors often use splints to hold bones and joints in place so they can heal after a fracture.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/splints.html/89b5b824-76d0-47f8-8f55-0ab28a2538c9Stress FracturesIt's not always easy to tell if you have a stress fracture, and stress fractures can get worse quickly. This article explains how to prevent and treat them.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/stress-fractures.html/d630ce2d-b4c9-4c02-8adf-34120bb2aaaeWhat to Expect When Your Cast Comes OffYou probably can't wait to get back to your normal activities, but it takes a while for a limb that's been in a cast to finish healing. Here's what to expect.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/cast-care.html/9d05acc9-c506-4aab-82b7-f1ce4aca55d1kh:age-teenThirteenToNineteenkh:age-youngAdultEighteenPluskh:clinicalDesignation-orthopedicsSportsMedkh:genre-articlekh:primaryClinicalDesignation-orthopedicsNonSportsMedFirst Aid & Injuries (for Teens)https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/safety/first-aid/9f64181e-1bba-4003-a534-f37734f8925aBones, Muscles & Joints (for Teens)https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/diseases-conditions/bones/7860c047-e722-4a4c-b1f8-2fd11271b697