5 Signs a Broken Bone is Not Healing

Broken bones typically take just a few weeks to heal, but what happens if they don’t?

You probably don’t think too much about your bones — except when they hurt or are broken. Unfortunately, 6 million people in the U.S. break a bone each year, with a fractured arm being the most common injury. A bad fall, car accident, or a direct hit to the bone typically accounts for the majority of broken bones. 

There are several types of bone fractures. In some cases, the bone breaks but stays mostly intact, while at other times, the bone shifts out of alignment due to the force of the blow. Usually, with casting and/or surgery, the bone fuses back together within six to eight weeks, sometimes longer for more complex fractures. However, there are instances where the bone doesn’t heal as expected. If you have broken a bone, keep watch for these signs that it isn’t healing, so you can get treatment to make your bone whole again.

Why your broken bone is not healing

A slow or nonhealing fracture is termed a nonunion, which could happen for many reasons:

• Restricted blood flow. To heal, the bone needs blood and nutrients to rush to the injured area. If the break damaged blood vessels and tissue, for example, the bone is most likely deprived of those restorative agents.
• Poor diet. Your bones need calcium and vitamin D to stay strong. If your diet lacks those nutrients, your bones could take much longer to heal.
• Infection. A fracture accompanied by an open wound can lead to a bacterial infection and can result in delayed healing.
• Diabetes. People with diabetes may experience a higher risk of a nonunion fracture due to decreased blood flow to the bone and tissue.
• Medications. Some medications, such as ibuprofen and corticosteroids, can reduce blood flow and thereby delay proper healing. Avoid taking them while recovering from a broken bone unless otherwise directed by a doctor.

5 signs your broken bone isn’t healing properly

A nonunion fracture can be disheartening, but knowing the signs can prompt you to get quick treatment to jumpstart the healing process. Here are five signs to look for:

1. Persistent pain. Some degree of discomfort is to be expected after the initial break. But if the pain lingers for weeks (even months) and intensifies, especially if you feel the pain deep in the bone, you likely have a nonunion fracture. 
2. Swelling. As with persistent pain, swelling that doesn’t go down indicates a bone that has failed to fully fuse together. 
3. Abnormality. Bones should heal in a straight line. A visible bump or other noticeable abnormality is a red flag for a nonhealing fracture.
4. Weakness. Similar to pain, the limb where the bone is healing may feel weak. Movement may be limited, too. Yet if the weakness continues with no improvement, the bone hasn’t yet been fixed.
5. Inability to bear weight. After breaking the bone, you will be advised to keep weight off the source of injury, but that should only be for a relatively short period of time as you recover. When you still cannot bear to put weight on the limb six or eight weeks after the fracture, you should contact your doctor for an evaluation.

Your orthopedist or medical professional will conduct a physical examination of the break. X-rays and MRIs can also show the telltale signs of a nonhealing fracture. Blood tests to determine if there is an infection or nutrient deficiency may be done as well. 

The images and exam will indicate treatment options. Nonsurgical options include electrical stimulation, which involves pulsing low-intensity ultrasound waves into the bone to stimulate proteins and spur the healing process. Specialized bracing may also be used.

In some cases, surgery may be your best alternative. The operation may entail clearing out any damaged tissue so healthy tissue can surround the broken bone and promote healing. A bone graft taken from another part of the body to bolster the fractured bone with new bone cells can further speed the fusion of the broken bone.

A nonhealing fracture can happen to anyone, but it’s easily treatable with quick medical intervention. However, if you want to avoid a nonunion fracture after an injury, maintain your bone health with exercise and diet. Your bones will be stronger for it.

Maintain your bone health

As a leading sports medicine center, New York Bone & Joint Specialists sees many patients with fractured bones every year. With surgery or therapy, our team of doctors and specialists know how to get your bones healthy again so you can enjoy your favorite sport or return to your everyday routine. Contact us for an appointment today.