Because kids are active, they are prone to breaking bones. Did you know that the majority of bones are broken between ages 11 and 15, when kids are going through puberty? But our bodies do amazing things to heal our bodies. But can broken bones heal on their own?
Most Commonly Broken Bones are:
- Wrist
- Arms
- Collarbone
- Ankles
- Feet and toes
- Fingers
- Legs
Surprisingly, of the above mentioned bones, the collarbone—also called the clavicle—is the bone that gets broken the most by both children and adults. This is the bone that sits between the shoulder and front of the neck. Most often it is broken during athletic activities or car accidents, but it can also be broken in other ways.
How to Tell if a Bone is Broken:
- Severe pain in the affected area
- Swelling of the area
- Some bruising
- Inability to move the body part
- An x-ray by a medical professional
Read here to tell the difference between a broken or sprained ankle.
Do Broken Bones Heal on Their Own?
Broken bones do heal on their own, in most cases within a few months. But using a cast, brace, or splint will keep the broken bone from moving, which facilitates the healing process and allows it to heal quicker. So, it’s important to see a doctor or go to an emergency room if you think your child has broken something. Once the broken bone has been stabilized, the following steps occur in the healing process:
- A blood clot is formed around the bone to provide needed cells.
- Hard tissue, or a callus, begins to form (usually within a few weeks).
- The callus replaces the blood clot.
- New bone begins to form.
- The new bone replaces the callus.
- The bone continues to grow and reshape.
- Life gets back to normal.
Getting immediate medical attention plays an important role in how well and quickly a bone can heal. The longer a bone goes without stabilization, the longer it can take to heal. In addition to following your doctor’s instructions, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin D and calcium can speed up the healing process.
If your child has multiple breaks, or the breaks occur during basic activities, your child may have to be assessed for a rare condition bone fragility. Seek medical advice right away.
Looking for a Tyler emergency room with virtually no wait time and top-notch medical care? Visit Hospitality Health ER in Tyler any time, any day. We are open around the clock, 365 days a year.
