If you break a bone, it’s imperative that you get it treated. Regardless of where the fracture took place in the body, the stress of a broken bone can be quite substantial, which means that you have to act sooner rather than later.
For the most part, bones are exceptionally good at healing. Unlike other parts of the body, when they are treated correctly, you can make a full recovery and have a bone that is as good as new. However, if left untreated, the problem can get worse and lead to complications and more pain and suffering.
Nonunion vs. Delayed Union
When a bonefractureis untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn’t heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.
Delayed unions are bone fractures that take longer to heal than usual. In most cases, though, patients can make a full recovery, although there can also be complications, depending on how well the bone was set.
How Do Bones Heal?
When there is a fracture, that means that the bones have separated. A partial fracture means that some of the bone is still connected, whereas a total fracture implies a complete split.
In most cases, the doctor will set the bone so that the two sides can connect and heal. New tissue grows, new bone material fills in the gap, and you’re back to normal.
To ensure that this process happens smoothly, these conditions have to be met.
Stability – if the bones are misaligned, then they will connect unevenly. If that happens, it could impact the structural integrity of the tissue and lead to more pain and suffering.
Blood Supply – your bones heal thanks to the components of your blood. Thus, it’s imperative that the tissue gets adequate blood supplied to the site to facilitate rapid healing.
Nutrients – we all know that calcium helps build strong bones, so it’s extra vital to consume the right nutrients when they are healing.
Complications of Bone Healing
In some cases, even with the right treatment, your bones may not heal properly. Some of the risk factors that can lead to complications include:
- Old age
- Anemia
- Diabetes
- Tobacco use (smoking)
- Low vitamin D supply
- Some medications, including anti-inflammatories
Bottom Line – Stay Healthy and Get Treated
If you ever experience a bone fracture, it’s crucial that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Once the bone is set, then you have to make sure that you’re helping your body heal as quickly as it can. If you have any of these risk factors, you want to talk to your doctor about how to mitigate them to facilitate faster healing.
Overall, a broken bone is a serious injury. Failing to get treatment can make things a lot worse. In need of an orthopedic surgeon? Contact Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associatestoday!
FAQs
When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn't heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.
What happens if a non-union fracture is left untreated? ›
Nonunions usually lead to a continuation of the pain at the site of a break, even after the initial pain of the fracture has passed. The pain from a nonunion may last months or even years if treatment is not sought.
What happens if a bone fracture is left untreated? ›
If untreated, the pain experienced from a fracture will likely worsen as time goes on. The main risk of an untreated fracture, however, is improper healing. This can result in visible deformities, misalignment, limited movement, and infection.
What is the most serious complications of fracture of bone? ›
Pulmonary embolism is the most common severe complication of serious fractures of the hip or pelvis. It occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein, breaks off (becoming an embolus), travels to a lung, and blocks an artery there. As a result, the body may not get enough oxygen.
What happens if a broken bone doesn't heal? ›
If your bone is not healing, then you may need surgery–particularly if this is a complex fracture or an extensive break. In certain cases, you may need a bone graft to help new bone grow so that the healing process can occur.
What happens if you wait too long to fix a broken bone? ›
In a nonhealing fracture, bones don't produce new tissue. A fracture in which the bone does produce new tissue but does so very slowly—over months—is called a delayed union. In some instances, the broken bone heals but may not be completely straight. This is called a malunited fracture.
Can an old fracture cause pain years later? ›
Chronic Pain – After Healing Is Complete
However, some people may continue to experience pain long after the fracture and soft tissues have healed. Full healing from a fracture can take anywhere from several weeks to several months and occasionally even several years.
What happens if you don t go to the doctor for a broken bone? ›
The broken bone must be properly in line and held in place, often with a plaster cast, so it heals in the right position. If you don't receive the right treatment, you could develop a serious infection or a permanent deformity. You may also develop long-term problems with your joints.
What might happen if a bone injury is not immediately treated? ›
When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn't heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.
Can you get sepsis from a broken bone? ›
Abstract. Musculoskeletal sepsis is infection of bone, joints, muscles, and skin and often occurs after open fractures. Thus, the main objective in the treatment of open fractures in restoration of function and prevention of infection. It is important to consider all open fracture wounds as contaminated.
The femur is often put at the top of the most painful bones to break. Your femur is the longest and strongest bone in your body, running from your hip to your knee. Given its importance, it's not surprising that breaking this bone is an incredibly painful experience, especially with the constant weight being put on it.
What is the most life threatening fracture? ›
Here are 10 of the worst bone fractures you could get.
- Skull. ...
- Wrist. ...
- Hip. ...
- Rib. ...
- Ankle. ...
- Pelvis. A fracture in the pelvis can be life-threatening, just like hip fractures. ...
- Tailbone. A tailbone fracture can make life difficult, and there is no way to hold the fractured tailbone in place. ...
- Elbow. A broken elbow is very painful.
One of the more complicated types of bone fracture to treat is the comminuted fracture. This is where the bone breaks into three or more pieces, typically caused by a high-force accident or trauma, such as a fall from a height, a motor vehicle crash, or a contact sports injury.
How long can you leave a broken bone untreated? ›
If the fracture is not treated within four weeks, the patient will need a surgical correction. If left untreated entirely, the injury can become necrotic. Spinal fractures are often missed. If it is a dangerous injury and the patient is paralysed as a result, there will be grounds for a claim.
What is the hardest fracture to recover from? ›
Comminuted fractures take longer to heal than other kinds of broken bones. They're also much more likely to involve complications.
What type of fracture never heals? ›
A nonhealing fracture, also called a nonunion, occurs when the pieces of a broken bone do not grow back together. In most instances, when a doctor repairs a broken bone after an injury, the bone produces new tissue immediately.
What happens if you don't treat a nondisplaced fracture? ›
When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn't heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.
Can a nonunion heal without surgery? ›
"I would not recommend nonunion surgery if it would harm the patient or not improve the quality of life," says Dr. Hidden. In some cases, nonunions may be treated without surgery. She indicates that correcting deficient levels of vitamin D and calcium could prevent the need for nonunion surgery at all.
What happens if an avulsion fracture doesn't heal? ›
In rare cases, if the bone fragment and main bone are too far apart to fuse naturally, surgery may be necessary to reunite them. In children, avulsion fractures that involve the growth plates also might require surgery.
What is a nonunion fracture timeline? ›
Nonunion of bone is the body's inability to heal a fracture. The most agreed-upon standard definition of nonunion made by the FDA is a fracture that persists for a minimum of 9 months without signs of healing for three months.
