How Long Does a Fracture Take to Heal? Healing Times, Stages and What Helps

Most broken bones take around 6 to 12 weeks to heal, although some take longer. A broken wrist or arm usually falls in that range, while a broken hip often needs surgery and recovery can take several months. Osteoporosis does not slow the healing itself, but if you broke a bone in a minor fall it is a strong sign you should ask about your bone health.

How long does a fracture take to heal?

A broken bone usually takes around 6 to 12 weeks to heal, although it can take longer. That is the Royal Osteoporosis Society's guide for most fractures Royal Osteoporosis Society. The exact time depends on which bone broke, how badly, whether it needed an operation, and your general health.

It helps to separate two things. The bone knitting back together is one milestone. Getting back your normal strength, grip and movement is another, and it often takes longer. The NHS notes that after a broken arm or wrist, stiffness and weakness can sometimes last several months or more after the cast comes off NHS.

How long does a broken wrist take to heal?

A broken wrist usually heals within 6 to 12 weeks, and a plaster cast usually stays on for about six weeks. Most people have a cast fitted in hospital and can go home once it has been fitted. Occasionally an operation is needed to realign the bones. Once the cast is off, you start exercises to strengthen the muscles and get back to normal activities Royal Osteoporosis Society.

The ROS says a broken wrist is unlikely to cause long-term problems. A small number of people develop wrist osteoarthritis or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and doing the exercises you are given before and after the cast comes off can reduce the chance of CRPS Royal Osteoporosis Society.

How long does a broken arm take to heal?

The NHS says it usually takes around 6 to 12 weeks to recover from a broken arm or wrist, and it can take longer if the arm was severely damaged NHS. While it heals, the NHS advises:

• Keep your hand raised above your elbow when you can, for example on a pillow at night.
• Take painkillers as directed.
• Keep the cast dry and do not scratch underneath it.
• Do not drive or lift heavy things until you have been told it is safe.

Call NHS 111 if the pain gets worse, your cast feels too tight or too loose or breaks, your fingers feel numb, look swollen or turn blue or white, or there is a bad smell or discharge from under the cast NHS.

How long does a broken hip take to heal?

A broken hip usually takes several weeks or months to heal, but it can take longer NHS. Almost everyone needs an operation, usually on the day you arrive in hospital or the day after. The Royal College of Physicians' guide for carers puts healing at 6 to 12 weeks, while noting it can take longer Royal College of Physicians.

The NHS says most people spend around 1 to 4 weeks in hospital, and some people never get back quite the same strength and movement they had before NHS. Our guide to hip fracture recovery covers surgery, rehab and going home step by step.

What are the stages of bone healing?

In general terms, bone heals in overlapping stages: a blood clot forms, a soft bridge of new tissue grows, it hardens into new bone, and the bone is then slowly reshaped. Timings vary from person to person and bone to bone, but in plain terms:

1. Clot and swelling. Straight after the break, blood collects around the fracture and the area becomes swollen and painful. This is the body starting the repair.
2. Soft callus. New tissue begins to bridge the gap. It is weak at this point, which is why the bone is kept still in a cast, sling or with surgery.
3. Hard callus. The bridge gradually turns into new bone. By the time a cast comes off, the bone has usually joined, though it is not yet at full strength.
4. Remodelling. Over many months, the body reshapes the new bone back towards its original form and strength.

This is why your team may tell you the bone has healed while you still feel stiff or weak. The bone is joined, but strength and movement take longer to come back.

Does osteoporosis slow down fracture healing?

No. Osteoporosis does not affect how long a broken bone takes to heal. The NHS says broken bones can take weeks or months to heal and that having osteoporosis does not change this NHS. The Royal Osteoporosis Society puts it the same way: osteoporosis does not affect the healing process, so if you do break a bone it can heal as normal Royal Osteoporosis Society.

What osteoporosis changes is how easily bones break. Recovery can also be slower overall if your general health was poor before the break, especially after a hip fracture Royal Osteoporosis Society. If you are wondering whether you might have weak bones, our guide to signs of osteoporosis explains what to look out for.

What helps a broken bone heal?

The Royal Osteoporosis Society recommends a healthy balanced diet with plenty of protein, not smoking, and resting and taking it slow Royal Osteoporosis Society. Smoking limits the blood supply to your bones, so stopping is one of the most useful things you can do. Our article on smoking and bone health explains more.

Other things that help:

• Follow your hospital's instructions on your cast, sling, splint or wound.
• Do your exercises. A physiotherapist or occupational therapist may help you recover as fully as possible NHS.
• Eat well for your bones. Protein, calcium and vitamin D all matter. See our guide to vitamin D, calcium and protein.
• Manage pain. The ROS reminds readers that in most cases the pain does pass. Take painkillers as advised and ask your GP or pharmacist if they are not working.

Why should you ask about your bones after a fracture?

Because one broken bone makes another more likely, and the risk is highest soon afterwards. UK guidance from the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group says fracture risk is approximately doubled after a previous fracture, and that the risk of another fracture is highest in the period immediately after a break NOGG, 2024. NOGG recommends starting treatment promptly after a fragility fracture where it is needed NOGG, 2024.

A fragility fracture is a bone broken by a fall from standing height or less, or by a force that would not normally break a healthy bone. Wrist, hip and spine are common sites. Our guide to fragility fractures explains what they mean and how to get assessed.

An assessment usually means a fracture risk calculation such as FRAX and, where needed, a DEXA scan. Our explainer on fracture risk and FRAX shows how this works, and our osteoporosis treatment guide covers the medicines used if your risk is high. If you are prescribed a bone medicine, do not stop or change it without talking to your doctor. Lowering your chance of a fall matters too. See our falls prevention exercises.

Some people also want to keep an eye on their bone health over time. Screen My Bones offers radiation-free REMS screening, an ultrasound-based scan of the spine and hip. It is a screening and monitoring option, not a diagnostic test, and UK guidance (NOGG) does not recommend REMS for diagnosing osteoporosis, so DEXA remains the test for a formal diagnosis. Please discuss any result with your GP. You can read about our bone health assessment or book a screening.

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This article is part of our bone health series. It is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about a broken bone or your recovery, speak to your GP or call NHS 111.