How do broken bones heal?

Mystery Science2 minutes read

Doug broke his arm bone while sledding with his daughters, but it has now healed enough that he no longer needs to wear a sling. The cast is crucial for ensuring that bones grow back together straight, but not all broken bones require one.

Insights

  • Bones naturally heal by growing back together over one to two months after a break, with the pieces reconnecting from either side of the fracture.
  • While casts are essential for keeping bones aligned during healing, some bones like ribs, skull, and tailbone may not require casting if properly aligned, as they can heal correctly on their own.

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Recent questions

  • How do bones heal after breaking?

    Bones naturally grow back together over one to two months, with broken pieces rejoining from either side of the break, aided by a cast to keep them aligned.

  • Why is a cast important after a bone break?

    A cast is crucial as it maintains proper alignment of bones during healing, ensuring they grow back together straight and facilitate the mending process.

  • Which bones do not require a cast when broken?

    Bones like ribs, skull, and tailbone may not need a cast if properly aligned, as they can heal on their own without the need for casting.

  • What happens when bones break?

    Broken bones naturally glue back together over time, with the broken pieces growing back together from both sides of the break, aiding in the healing process.

  • How long does it take for bones to heal after breaking?

    Bones typically take one to two months to heal after breaking, with the broken pieces rejoining from either side of the break, facilitated by the body's natural healing process.

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Summary

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Doug's arm bone healed without a cast.

  • Doug broke his arm bone while sledding with his daughters, but it has now healed enough that he no longer needs to wear a sling.
  • When bones break, they naturally glue themselves back together over one to two months, with the broken pieces growing back together from either side of the break.
  • A cast is crucial after a bone break as it keeps the bones lined up correctly during the healing process, ensuring they grow back together straight.
  • Not all broken bones require a cast; bones like ribs, skull, and tailbone are hard to cast, but as long as the bones are lined up, they will heal properly on their own.
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