Why Does a Fracture Heal Slowly, or Not at All?
You had a fracture that did not heal, or took much longer than a friend's fracture. Dr. Amr Elyamany goes through the most important reasons.
The main reasons
- Smoking: the most important cause; it reduces blood flow to the broken bone and delays healing.
- Low vitamin D or calcium: both are essential building blocks of bone.
- Fractures in weak areas or with a poor blood supply: for example the neck of the thigh bone, which can take months or even years, and sometimes does not join.
- Too much movement or weight-bearing on the bone before it has healed.
- Chronic diseases such as diabetes or thyroid disease, if they are not well controlled.
- Age: young people heal faster than older adults, and children faster than young adults.
What helps healing
Good health habits help fractures to heal: stopping smoking, eating well, correcting vitamin D and calcium levels, controlling any chronic disease and following your surgeon's instructions about movement and weight-bearing.
Key takeaway: Most of the factors that slow bone healing are ones you can influence, starting with smoking and vitamin D.
When to see a doctor
- Pain or movement at a fracture site months after the injury
- A fracture that is not showing signs of healing on follow-up X-rays
- Any new pain, swelling or fever after a fracture or its surgery
Need advice about your own case? Book a consultation with Dr. Amr Elyamany in Dubai.
This article is for general education and does not replace an in-person medical examination. If you have symptoms, please consult a qualified doctor.