If a bone is weakened already by diseases such as osteoporosis or cancer, it
takes much less of a force to cause a fracture. Therefore, people with osteoporosis
or cancer of the bone have a higher risk of fracturing their bones.
In order for a bone to heal, the break must be stabilized. It must remain stabilized
while the bone begins to heal and get some of its strength back. This usually
takes 3 - 6 weeks. The amount of time the fracture takes to heal can vary depending
on the age of the individual, which bone in the body was broken, the type of
fracture, and the size of the break.
Physical therapists can teach you how to increase the strength of your healing
bone, as well as decrease the risk of other problems developing because you
are not moving around as much. After the fracture has healed, physical therapists
can help you increase your strength and mobility while making sure no other
injuries occur.