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How long does it take for a hairline fracture to heal?
Your doctor may recommend that you use crutches to keep weight off an injured foot or leg. You can also wear protective footwear or a cast. Because it usually takes up to six to eight weeks to completely heal from a hairline fracture, it’s important to modify your activities during that time.
Can walking on a hairline fracture make it worse?
Stressing the fracture site repeatedly may cause the cracks to widen and the bone to weaken further. Doctors do not recommend walking when you have a stress fracture because it may reopen the partially healed fracture, and you may have to begin the recovery process again.
Can you walk with a hairline fracture?
Although one can walk on a foot with a stress fracture, these tiny hairline breaks should not be ignored as they can return unless properly treated.
What happens if you leave a hairline fracture untreated?
When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn’t heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.
Can hairline fractures heal on its own?
The majority of hairline fractures will heal by themselves if the person refrains from activities that put a strain on the affected area. For the first 24 to 48 hours, a person can help the healing process by elevating the affected area and applying ice where possible.
Can a hairline fracture heal without a cast?
Treatment for a hairline fracture looks different than that of a more severe fracture. You likely won’t need a cast, but the doctor may recommend that you wear a brace to keep your arm immobile. You should also rest your arm and use ice to control the pain.
Is a hairline fracture a broken bone?
While many people believe that a fracture is a “hairline break,” or a certain type of broken bone, this is not true. A fracture and a broken bone are the same things.
Is a hairline fracture worse than a break?
There’s no difference between a fracture and a break. A fracture is any loss of continuity of the bone. Anytime the bone loses integrity—whether it’s a hairline crack barely recognizable on an X-ray or the shattering of bone into a dozen pieces—it’s considered a fracture.
Do you need a cast for hairline fracture?
Do hairline fractures heal on their own?
Does a hairline fracture hurt to touch?
The key symptom of a stress fracture is pain. Depending on the bone affected, it tends to hurt in very specific, pinpoint areas, and it will hurt when you touch the exact area where the bone is broken.
How serious is a hairline fracture?
Ignoring a hairline fracture can lead to a more serious fracture or break occurring, which is more difficult to treat. If not treated or ignored, the hairline may not heal, resulting in a non-union fracture.
What is the recovery time for a hairline fracture?
Common symptoms include: pain while walking, swelling and inflammation, redness of the joint and tenderness. Recovery depends on the extent of fracture and what has caused it. Nevertheless, complete recovery for a hairline fracture may take up to 10 to 14 weeks.
Is a hairline fracture painful?
While hairline fractures may heal with sufficient rest, they can be painful and last several weeks. Anyone who engages in regular physical activity can develop a hairline fracture, especially if the activity involves repetitive movements that put a strain on a bone or a group of bones. The most common treatment approach is rest.
What are the symptoms of a hairline fracture in the wrist?
The signs of a hairline wrist fracture include bruising, pain, and swelling. Also known as stress fractures, they can affect the bones in the wrist or distal forearm.
What is a hairline foot fracture?
Hairline or stress fractures are tiny cracks on a bone that often develop in the foot or lower leg. It is common for hairline fractures to occur as a result of sports that involve repetitive jumping or running.